A California city councilman who also works as a public school teacher has refused to step down after making disparaging comments about the military.
The Daily Caller reported last month that the El Rancho High School teacher made disparaging remarks about the military.
“They’re the frickin’ lowest of our low,” the teacher, Gregory Salcido, told students in regard to the U.S. armed forces.
Salcido is a councilman in Pico Rivera, California.
He has since received national attention for his comments and requests to remove himself from his post.
“He’s disgraced us, disgraced this city, disgraced this nation,” Councilman Bob Archuleta said, per a report from the Los Angeles Times.
Archuleta was not alone in this sentiment, as citizens gathered at a Tuesday city council meeting with signs like, “Resign Salcido.”
Despite the backlash, Salcido refuses to step down from his city council position. He has apologized if he offended anyone, and attempted to explain himself.
“I don’t think it’s all a revelation to anybody that those who aren’t stellar students usually find the military a better option … that’s not a criticism of anybody. Anything I said had nothing to do with their moral character,” Salcido said, according to CBS Los Angeles.