Katie Waldmen stole newspapers in college
Mike Pence’s press secretary admits to newspaper theft
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Vice President Mike Pence’s new press secretary, Katie Waldman has admitted to stealing newspapers in her college days.
Every year across the U.S., student-run publications fall victim to individuals who steal those publications in order to censor the views the publication contains, the Student Press Law Center claims. One of those thieves is Katie Waldman.
According to msn.com, Waldman was appointed as Vice President Mike Pence’s new press secretary, replacing former press secretary Alyssa Farah. Waldman left her previous job as communications director for Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and began her new position on Oct. 1.
Waldman admitted to stealing and throwing away the university newspaper while she attended the University of Florida in 2012, according to heavy.com.
Waldman was a member of the university’s Unite Party, and her political rival had been endorsed by the school’s football coach on the front page. This shows her reasoning behind the act. Despite what she had done, she faced no repercussions and remained a member of the Unite Party, according to heavy.com.
Her act is public knowledge and yet she continued her education and career in journalism. After she graduated from the University of Florida, she got her Masters in public administration in 2014. Since then Waldman has worked as press secretary for Montana Senator Steve Daines in 2015, then as deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security in 2017 and as the communications director for Senator McSally before working as the press secretary for Pence, according to NBC News.
Waldman not only didn’t receive any repercussions for her actions, but she also was able to continue her career and people still spoke highly of her.
According to NBC News, a former Department of Homeland Security official said, “She impressed a lot of people in the administration with her work in DHS and on the immigration portfolio in the height of media interest.”
Daines echoed these remarks.
“She has a very strong personality … she has incredible work ethic,” Senator Daines said.
Even if this is true, it shouldn’t excuse the illegal behavior she engaged in while in college.
“I do not question [Waldman’s] qualifications, passions or work ethic,” said Max Stein, the assistant minority leader of the Unite Party, at the time of the newspaper theft. “ I question her ethical and moral fiber.”
Armagost can be reached at [email protected]
Robin Armagost is a first-year English and Journalism student. She loves to play Pokémon and Super Smash Bros.
Myrtle Gordon • Oct 17, 2019 at 1:36 pm
How can they think highly of her? When in facts she stole. Good work ethic is not stealing. Yet they let her work with Senators. Good job on article Robin.
Laura Armagost • Oct 17, 2019 at 1:10 pm
My questions are “What is the reasoning for Waldmen not receiving any reprimands that would be noted on her school record/transcipt? What was the schools policy regarding illegal acts by a student directly involved in a censorship of the school’s paper? Waz this because she hadn’t taken the oath of journalism, or is there even an oath syluch as lawyers and doctors take? Thank you for your time.