In a sadly typical example of TDS, North Carolina Representative Julie von Haefen (D) posted a video from a Raleigh “No Kings” protest, including a sign depicting a guillotine with a head resembling President Trump. In response, the Democrat faced harsh online condemnation, and she subsequently deactivated her social media accounts.
In response, the N.C. GOP, led by Jason Simmons, and House Speaker Destin Hall demanded she step down and slammed her actions as disgraceful and dangerous, especially amid recent political violence. Adding to the uproar, Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert criticized the imagery as divisive and inappropriate.
Apologizing for her unacceptable behavior, the Democrat said, “Yesterday, I posted a video on social media containing crowd photos from the No Kings protest in Raleigh. One of the images of a protester holding a sign was inappropriate, and I later edited the video to remove the photo.”
Continuing her apology, Julie von Haefen added, “Let me be clear: I condemn political violence in all forms. My focus remains on bringing people together and fighting for the values that matter to North Carolinians. Like so many, I was horrified by the violence in Minnesota. There is no place for that kind of extremism in our democracy, no matter the target, no matter the party.”
Harshly criticising her egregious actions, Jason Simmons, N.C. GOP Chairman replied, “The posts Rep. von Haefen shared do not show the judgment or temperament of someone to hold public office. For the good of her constituents to have effective representation, she should resign.”
Slamming the violent rhetoric, Destin Hall, North Carolina House Speaker, stated, “Her disgraceful behavior fails to meet the standards expected from House members and sets a dangerous precedent in an already volatile political climate. I am examining next steps with our legislative attorneys to ensure this behavior does not continue.”
Continuing, Hall said, “On the same weekend that a gunman in Minnesota targeted state lawmakers in an act of political violence, and after two attempted assassinations of President Trump within the past year, Representative von Haefen shared an image of a ‘protest sign’ that glorifies violence against her political opponents- including President Donald Trump.”