Somerville Board Member Under Fire For Attending Trump Rally

SOMERVILLE, MA — An appointed member of a Somerville board that manages affordable housing funds is taking heat for attending the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C. last week that led to rioters storming the U.S. Capitol building.

Jessica Turner, who serves on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, said she participated in the rally but was not among the group that stormed the Capitol.

"That behavior is stupid," Turner told The Boston Globe. "And what they did was stupid."

But the city launched an investigation into Turner's actions last Wednesday, as a post highlighting some of her statements from the rally circulated on Twitter. Turner was appointed to the volunteer position by Mayor Joseph Curtatone in 2019.

"We share your concern. We're taking it seriously and doing our due diligence," Curtatone wrote on Twitter Saturday. "Will have more information soon."

Critics point to a tweet Turner posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday that said "We have breached the steps." But in a video posted later and found by another Twitter user, she says, "I'm safe. I'm fine. We didn't go up to the steps because we're smart."

Turner has since made her Twitter page private. She told the Boston Herald the initial tweet was taken out of context, meant to be "a general statement, not specifically referring to me at all."

But it was enough to catch the attention of some city officials. City Councilor Kristen Strezo said she "will be looking into this ASAP."

"This is truly disturbing," Councilor Will Mbah wrote on Twitter. "The administration must take swift action."

Ward 2 Councilor JT Scott said he was the only councilor who objected to her appointment in 2019, citing statements she had made in person and on social media. Turner is a registered Independent and supporter of President Trump who is concerned over the integrity of the election, the Globe reported.

Turner is not among those facing charges following Wednesday's violence. She told the Globe she has no plans to resign from her role and feels she is being unfairly "demonized for her opinions" in liberal Somerville.