NH Libertarian Party’s Call for Democrat Assassinations Draws Bipartisan Condemnation

Key points

• The New Hampshire Libertarian Party’s X account posted a call for the assassination of all elected Democrats in the state, sparking immediate bipartisan outrage.
• Party chair Jeremy Kauffman, who lost his national affiliation in May, faced condemnation from both Democratic and Republican leaders, including Governor Kelly Ayotte.
• The Attorney General’s office is aware of the post but declined to comment, leaving it unclear if it will be prosecuted as incitement or protected speech.
• The post was part of a series of violent calls from the party’s social media accounts, including against former Vice President Kamala Harris and a former state Executive Councilor.
• Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Maggie Goodlander and Lily Tang Williams, condemned the post as dangerous and unacceptable.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of violent rhetoric from the New Hampshire Libertarian Party’s social media accounts, including previous calls for violence against former Vice President Kamala Harris and a former state Executive Councilor. The party’s national affiliation was revoked in May due to violations of party rules and ideals, including endorsing Donald Trump for president instead of the Libertarian candidate. The post also comes amid a broader trend of political violence and threats against public officials, as seen in other states and countries.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources agree on the content of the post and the bipartisan condemnation, they differ in emphasis. WCAX and NHPR focus on the immediate political response and the legal ambiguity surrounding the post. InDepthNH.org provides additional context on the party’s history of violent rhetoric and the national party’s decision to decertify the local chapter. UnionLeader.com, behind a paywall, likely offers a more detailed analysis of the political and legal implications, but its content is not accessible for comparison.

Why it matters

The post highlights the growing concern over political violence and the potential for social media to incite such acts. It also raises questions about the balance between free speech and the protection of public officials from threats. The bipartisan condemnation suggests a shared recognition of the danger posed by such rhetoric, regardless of party affiliation.

What to watch

The Attorney General’s office is expected to decide whether to prosecute the post as incitement. The national Libertarian Party may take further action against the local chapter, and lawmakers may introduce legislation to address political violence on social media. The incident could also influence the upcoming gubernatorial and congressional races in New Hampshire.