Jenna Bush Defends Sasha And Malia Obama: History Of First Daughters Shows Challenges [Video]

When she was a teenager in the White House, Jenna Bush now admits that she wasn’t thrilled to play the role of First Daughter for her presidential father. Talking with Andy Cohen, Jenna made it clear that she was outraged when a Republican aide criticized Sasha and Malia Obama’s attire and attitude, reported the Today show.

“I’m fiercely protective of them, obviously,” said Jenna. “I don’t think that it’s easy. It’s not a job that they wanted.”

However, reflecting on what it was like to grow up in the White House, Jenna also expressed her belief that the experience enhanced her life.

“I had a hard time [growing up in the White House], but it’s also a privilege,” she said.

Jenna’s declaration of defense stemmed from a social media post by Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Tennessee Rep. Steven Fincher. The Facebook post went viral when the news spread that she had criticized the President’s two young daughters, according to CNN.

Malia is 16, while Sasha is 13-years-old. Lauten’s Facebook post referred to televised images of the girls at the annual turkey-pardoning Thanksgiving ceremony at the White House (below).

Lauten wrote her post in the form of a letter to the two girls.

“Dear Sasha and Malia: I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play.

“Act like being in the White House matters to you.Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events. Rise to the occasion.”

Since that post and the subsequent negative publicity, Lauten has resigned and deleted her post. She also apologized.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest expressed appreciation for the apology, but emphasized that he was startled by her post.

“I was taken aback there was a political operative on Capitol Hill who did use the occasion of a Thanksgiving-themed event to criticize members of the First Family,” said Earnest. “I was a bit surprised by that. But I will say that she has posted an apology to her website, and I think that was an appropriate thing to do.”

First Lady Michelle Obama has had to cope with her own share of criticism, as the Inquisitr reported. Working to improve school lunches and reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, she found herself having to deal with critiques about some of her recommendations.

Malia and Sasha aren’t the only First Daughters to experience challenges in the White House.

Only 9-years-old when Jimmy Carter became president, Amy Carter was overwhelmed by the media frenzy when she attended public school. School administrators had to create guidelines to protect the little girl.

Chelsea Clinton turned 13 just one month after President Bill Clinton was inaugurated. He pleaded with the media to allow her privacy to grow up.

“We really work hard on making sure that Chelsea doesn’t let other people define her sense of her own self-worth,” said the then-president. “It’s tough when you are an adolescent because peer opinion and other people’s opinion become more important.”

Both Jenna and Barbara Bush were not legally allowed to drink when George W. Bush became president. But their parents had to deal with the fallout of their youthful exuberance when they were nabbed for drinking alcohol.

“Jenna and Tonic – Bush daughter in new booze incident as twin sister watched,” reported a New York Post headline at the time.

[Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images]