New Hampshire state representative resigns as committee chair after sharing controversial document about COVID-19 vaccine

The New Hampshire Republican representative who shared a document with his colleagues that was riddled with conspiracy theories and anti-Catholic bigotry has resigned his position as chairman of the House Finance Committee. Rep. Ken Weyler’s resignation from the committee also means he is no longer chair of the Fiscal Committee. Rep. Karen Umberger, R-Kearsarge, has replaced Weyler as chair of the House Finance Committee and of the Fiscal Committee. She is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.Weyler came under fire this week for sharing a document with committee members referred to as a “vaccine death report.”The document contains conspiracy theories but also features blatant anti-Catholicism, including an allegation that top church leaders worship Satan. The “report” alleges that multiple popes have answered to a hidden leader known as “The Grey Pope.”The document also claims COVID-19 vaccines contain tentacled creatures and 5G technology intended for mind control. Deputy Speaker Steven Smith told WMUR that Weyler did not read past the first few pages of the document he shared with the Fiscal Committee. In his resignation letter, Weyler apologized for sharing the document, Smith said.Weyler also made headlines in September when Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette confronted him at a hearing for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.Before the representative resigned from the committees, Gov. Chris Sununu said Weyler’s actions clearly show a “detachment from reality.”“Anyone in a leadership position really has no right to be putting that stuff out, promoting that type of stuff. That type of misinformation is dangerous,” Sununu said.

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