An elementary school in South Carolina is facing backlash after pictures of staff in “Border Patrol” T-shirts surfaced on the district’s Facebook page.

The Royall Elementary School staff who were featured in the photos have since been fired or placed on administrative leave, according to a letter sent out by Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley.

Florence 1 Schools posted the images, which have since been taken down, with two staff members wearing gray “Border Patrol” T-shirts during a Hispanic heritage celebration event held on Wednesday.

Another image posted on the school’s social media page showed staff members wearing sombreros and other attire and standing in front of a red brick wall with a “Royall Cantina” sign. 

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O’Malley acknowledged the controversial photo and issued a statement saying that an investigation into the situation was underway.

“I was notified by my staff of an inappropriate social media post on one of our school’s Facebook accounts. What was posted, and the conduct of the staff involved, is inexcusable and not a representation of the school, its students and staff, or of our district as a whole,” O’Malley wrote.

“Today this matter has been thoroughly investigated and those who contributed to this event have been held accountable for their decision-making and actions. There is no room for anything of this nature in our schools and I will not tolerate it in our school district.” — Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent, Florence 1 Schools

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O’Malley also issued a letter to all parents of the school district and shared it with Fox News Digital.

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An unknown number of Royall Elementary employees have either been fired or placed on administrative leave after an “inappropriate” picture taken during a Hispanic heritage celebration was posted to its Facebook page, Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley said Friday. (WPDE)

“Dear Royall Parents and Guardians, As you may be aware, an inappropriate event occurred Wednesday morning during a Professional Development day at Royall, prior to the first day of school. Subsequently, pictures of the event were posted on the school’s Facebook page. I wanted to inform you that, due to the serious nature of this incident, several employees are no longer employed by the district or have been placed on leave by the district’s administration. As superintendent, I will not tolerate anything of this nature in our school district,” the letter reads.

O’Malley added that the district’s assistant superintendent of elementary education and its STEM director would serve as “acting administrators.”

An image on the school’s social media page showed staff members at Royall Elementary School wearing sombreros and other attire. (WPDE)

Royall Elementary School issued its own statement, acknowledging the images and apologizing for the “insensitivity.” 

“It is with regret that we acknowledge that a picture that was posted on our Facebook page yesterday showed an insensitive disregard for the current challenges our Hispanic population faces. At Royall, we take great pride in our long-standing tradition of embracing and supporting every student who walks through the doors of our building. Our staff is unanimously committed to celebrating the diversity of our families and ensuring that each and every student at Royall is successful, happy, and recognized for his or her unique culture and abilities. We apologize for our insensitivity but look forward to fostering relationships as we begin a new school year.” — Royall Elementary School

The comments have been turned off on the school’s apology post on Facebook. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., issued a warning to former President Trump to focus on Vice President Harris’ bad judgment instead of her heritage as he runs for a second term in the Oval Office.

Graham was a guest on “Fox News Sunday” where Fox’s Jacqui Heinrich asked him about Trump’s comments about Harris’ racial identity.

“So, here’s what I would say to President Trump. The problem I have with Kamala Harris is not her heritage, it’s her judgment,” Graham said. “She has been wrong about everything. When she tried to explain what she would do about inflation and an upcoming recession, it made no sense. It’s gibberish.”

This week, Trump posted an image of Harris’ birth certificate on Truth Social after receiving a lot of criticism for remarks he made during a Q&A session at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago on Wednesday.

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“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” the former president said during the Q&A. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know. Is she Indian or is she Black?”

Heinrich asked Graham about Trump’s comments and asked if it alienated millions of Black voters, including from his state of South Carolina.

The senator said 30% of his state is African American, adding that former Gov. Nikki Haley is of Indian heritage, and one of her children married an African-American football player who attended Clemson University.

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Former President Trump attended the NABJ convention on Wednesday, where he answered tough questions from prominent Black journalists. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“Every day we’re talking about her heritage and not her terrible, dangerous liberal record throughout her entire political life. It’s a good day for her and a bad day for us,” Graham said. “So, I would encourage President Trump to prosecute the case against Kamala Harris’ bad judgment.”

Graham also sent a message to Trump on the show that it was his election to lose.

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“It’s important you win to reset a broken border and get the world in good order,” he said. “The American people are looking to have their problems solved. I think your presidency was an incredible presidency for national security and prosperity.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., married fiancée Mindy Noce Saturday in a South Carolina ceremony.

Scott, 58, and Noce, 47, were married in the chapel at Charleston’s Seacoast Church, according to local newspaper The Post and Courier. The Republican senator announced their nuptials afterward in a post on his personal X account on Saturday just before 9 p.m. 

“Tonight, we promised to cherish and nourish each other and our marriage for the rest of our lives,” Scott posted. “Mindy, you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I love you.”

The senator then quoted a Bible verse, Matthew 19:6, that reads, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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The event saw a variety of attendees from the political world, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Sen. John Thune R-S.D., Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C.

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Sen. Tim Scott’s marriage to Mindy Noce was attended by a multitude of prominent political figures, including fellow South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. (Courtesy of Tim and Mindy/Rian Fuller Photography)

“Congrats to ⁦@SenatorTimScott & Mindy on a beautiful wedding in Charleston,” Walker wrote on X. “I love this man and I’ve watched his heart for God lived out in a difficult arena.”

Former President Trump took to his social media platform to congratulate Scott and Noce.

Sen. Tim Scott, 58, and Mindy Noce, 47, exchange vows on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in South Carolina. (Courtesy of Tim and Mindy/Rian Fuller Photography)

“Congratulations to my longtime friend, Senator Tim Scott, and his beautiful bride, Mindy Noce, who were married today in the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “You have a GREAT future. God bless you both!”

Sen. Tim Scott and Mindy Noce got married Saturday, Aug. 3 in Charleston, S.C. (Courtesy of Tim and Mindy/Rian Fuller Photography)

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Noce, who is an interior designer in South Carolina, grew up in a military family with a father who was in the Navy and brothers who went to military school. She and Scott were engaged earlier this year after church friends tried to set them up on a pickleball date. 

Fox News’ Bailee Hill contributed to this report.