Arizona Republican Rep. John Gillette just crossed a dangerous line — again. This time, he called for the execution of a sitting Democratic congresswoman, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, simply because she encouraged people upset with Donald Trump to protest in the streets.
On X, Gillette wrote that Jayapal should be “tried, convicted and hanged.” Yes, you read that right — hanged. And what was her “crime”? A speech about non-violent resistance. The full video proves it: Jayapal and her guests discussed peaceful protests and legal strikes. No violence, no calls for overthrow, no insurrection. Just civil action.
But Gillette twisted her words — while at the same time defending the very people who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He’s called them “political prisoners” and cheered Trump’s pardons for them. The hypocrisy is staggering: defend actual insurrectionists, but demand death for a congresswoman promoting peaceful protest.
When reporters asked him about it, Gillette refused to answer, hung up, and tried to brush it off as “the comment is what it is.” That’s not accountability — that’s cowardice.
Arizona Democrats aren’t staying quiet. “The Congresswoman was clearly talking about nonviolent protest,” Assistant House Democratic Leader Nancy Gutierrez said. “Representative Gillette misconstrued her words to once again put a target on a political opponent’s back, calling for her to be hanged.”
Let’s be real: this isn’t just reckless rhetoric. Words like these put lives at risk. Experts are warning America is in an era of violent populism. Political violence is rising, and language like Gillette’s fuels it further. As one professor put it: “I’d be afraid someone would maybe act on it.”
This is the bigger danger: Republican leaders have yet to say a word. How many times does Gillette get to spew hate, twist words, and call for death before his own party takes action?
Because here’s the truth — if this kind of rhetoric keeps being normalized, it won’t just threaten Democrats. It will come back around and consume Republicans too.
The clock is ticking. Silence is complicity.
No comments:
Post a Comment