A senior aide to Rep. Aaron Schock has resigned after media outlets published racially charged Facebook posts he allegedly wrote on his personal account.
In a statement to the Peoria Journal Star, the Illinois GOP congressman called the remarks by communications aide Benjamin Cole "inexcusable and offensive."
"I would expect better from any member of my team," Schock added. "Upon learning about them I met with Mr. Cole and he offered his resignation which I have accepted."
ThinkProgress and BuzzFeed obtained screenshots of the posts.
In one from 2013, Cole reportedly posted video of a black woman with the caption: "So apparently the closing of the National Zoo has forced the animals to conduct their mating rituals on my street. #gentrifytoday Pt. 1".
In a 2010 post, he wrote that he "thinks they should build a mosque on the White House grounds."
He added: "I just think it would be nice for the president to have his own house of worship, since he's not been able to find one suitable in DC since 2004 when he moved here."
Cole did not respond to several emails sent by NBC News asking for comment.
It's the second time Shock's office has made headlines in recent days. Earlier this week, the congressman faced an outcry for elaborate renovations to his office space in the style of the PBS show "Downton Abbey." He says he will pay the decorator in full.