NH Libertarian Chair’s X Post Endorsing Democrat Assassinations Sparks Bipartisan Condemnation

Key points

• On Tuesday, the New Hampshire Libertarian Party’s X account posted: 'We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire. But if you don’t have the balls to do that then you should probably vote GOP.'
• Party chair Jeremy Kauffman, who lost his national affiliation in May for violating party rules, previously posted threats against former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Governor Kelly Ayotte and Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson, condemned the post as dangerous and called for legal investigation.
• The state Attorney General’s office confirmed awareness of the posts but declined to comment further, leaving the legal classification of the speech unresolved.
• The Granite State Libertarian Party, a rival local group, disavowed the post, stating it contradicts core libertarian values and peaceful advocacy.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of violent rhetoric from the New Hampshire Libertarian Party’s social media accounts. In 2024, the party endorsed the assassination of then-Vice President Kamala Harris, drawing law enforcement attention. Earlier this year, the account declared it 'perfectly permissible to kill' a former Executive Councilor for proposing a state income tax. The national Libertarian Party decertified the New Hampshire chapter in May, citing violations including endorsing Donald Trump over the party’s own candidate.

How outlets are covering it

WBUR and NHPR emphasize the legal ambiguity surrounding the post, noting that while the Attorney General’s office is aware, it is unclear if the rhetoric will be prosecuted as incitement or treated as protected free speech. WCAX highlights the bipartisan nature of the outrage, quoting both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who condemned the post as 'anti-American' and 'dangerous.' InDepthNH.org focuses on the internal party conflict, noting that the rival Granite State Libertarian Party explicitly disavowed the post and stated that such behavior misrepresents libertarian values. UnionLeader.com’s content was inaccessible due to a subscription paywall, so no additional perspective could be extracted from that source.

Why it matters

The post raises critical questions about the boundaries of free speech in political discourse and the state’s willingness to prosecute violent rhetoric. It also highlights the fragmentation within the libertarian movement in New Hampshire, as rival groups attempt to distance themselves from Kauffman’s actions. The incident underscores the growing polarization in state politics and the potential for online rhetoric to translate into real-world threats against public officials.

What to watch

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office will determine whether to pursue legal action against the post or Kauffman. Democratic and Republican leaders are expected to continue monitoring the situation, with House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson having already contacted State House Security. The Granite State Libertarian Party may seek to consolidate support among local libertarians disillusioned with Kauffman’s leadership. No immediate legal charges have been filed as of the latest reports.