Despite a petition signed by almost 25, 000 asking him to resign, Kansas Speaker of the House Mike O’Neal announced Monday, Jan. 16 that he had no intentions to do so, according to The Wichita Eagle.

The petition comes after an email from O’Neal’s personal account containing a Bible quote some believe expressed a desire for President Obama’s death. The passage, Psalm 109:8, stated “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.”

The next line of the passage is the source of the criticism: “May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.”

In an interview with The Wichita Eagle, O’Neal claimed that quote was used as a call for Obama’s defeat in the presidential election in November.

“I understand the debate over the verse interpretation, about which I have explained and for which I have repeatedly apologized to the extent anyone misconstrued my intent or was otherwise offended,” O’Neal said. “I respect both the president and the office.”

This email, which he reportedly forwarded from another sender, comes only days after O’Neal formally apologized on Thursday, Jan. 5 for forwarding an email including derogatory remarks about First Lady Michelle Obama, referring to her as “Mrs. YoMama.”

Rep. Melody McCray-Miller of Wichita is working to take action against O’Neal in response to the two emails. According to The Wichita Eagle, the African-American legislative caucus, of which McCray-Miller is a member, “is working on a formal response,” but is unsure of specifics.