NEW YORK — The repercussions from a scandal involving racist and hateful messages in a Young Republican group chat continue to unfold. Two additional members have lost their jobs, and further resignations are being demanded as leaders from both political parties react with disgust.

Peter Giunta, previously chair of the New York State Young Republicans, was let go from his position with New York Assemblymember Mike Reilly. Joseph Maligno, who served as the general counsel for the group, has also been dismissed from the New York State Unified Court System, confirmed by a courts spokesperson.

The leaked messages, which included derogatory terms against various racial groups and inappropriate jokes about historical atrocities, prompted Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass to face calls for his resignation from figures including Gov. Phil Scott and fellow Republican lawmakers.

The National Young Republicans board has demanded the resignation of all members involved in the chat. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the messages on the Senate floor, labeling them as “revolting” and “disgusting,” and called for widespread condemnation from Republican leadership.

In contrast, Vice President JD Vance highlighted a separate incident involving a Democratic candidate to argue against what he described as disproportionate reactions to the Young Republicans’ chat scandal.

The political fallout is significant, as previously implicated members such as William Hendrix and Bobby Walker had already seen their employment affected even before the article was published. Both Giunta and Walker apologized for their actions but suggested that their messages were possibly altered or taken out of context.

New York Republican leaders, including Rep. Elise Stefanik and state party chair Ed Cox, were quick to denounce the behavior revealed in the messages. Democratic leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also spoken out, emphasizing the need for accountability and condemning the racist and anti-Semitic nature of the chat.

Rep. Yvette Clarke of the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Grace Meng, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, expressed their concerns about the implications of such behavior on the political climate and leadership tone.

As the story continues to develop, the focus is also shifting to potential political repercussions for the Republican Party, especially with the approaching midterm elections. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding political discourse in the U.S.