"And there's no evidence that Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta ever pushed back at these smears against Catholicism," said Burch. "Everyone has a unique faith journey, and it's just insulting to make blanket statements maligning people's motives for converting to another faith tradition. Had Palmieri spoken this way about other groups she would be dismissed. Palmieri must resign immediately or be fired."
Catholic League President Bill Donohue said in a statement the Clinton campaign should sanction both Palmieri and Podesta for the revelation, calling them both "bigoted."
"These anti-Catholic remarks are bad enough, but it makes one wonder what else Clinton's chiefs, and others associated with the campaign, are saying about Catholics and Catholicism," said Donohue.
"If Trump's inner circle spoke with derision about transgender persons, the sirens would be sounded by the mainstream media and his operatives would be hung out to dry. Hillary Clinton is not responsible for this Catholic bashing, but she has a moral obligation to sanction Podesta and Palmieri immediately."
The Hill said that while the Clinton campaign has not responded to the controversy, Democrats have tried to question the authenticity of the hacked emails by claiming that they were gathered by Russians.