(The Center Square)–Calls for the resignation of a North Carolina lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Julie von Haefen of Wake County, advocating the decapitation of President Donald Trump escalated Saturday and into Sunday.
On social media, von Haefen is accused of posting an image of a woman holding signage with the image of a bloody, used guillotine; the words “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary”; and a prop on one end of the handle representing a beheaded Trump.
Minutes after The Center Square sought authentication from her office, she posted to Facebook, “Yesterday, I posted a video on social media containing crowd photos from the No Kings protest in Raleigh. One of the images of a protestor holding a sign was inappropriate, and I later edited the video to remove the photo.
“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.”
Von Haefen did not offer an apology.
Her caption on Saturday morning said, “No Kings Protest in Raleigh. Amazing turnout all across the Triangle today, including this event at the Capitol hosted by Wake Democrats and North Carolina Democrats.” There were hashtags for an expletive, no kings and Raleigh.
The image, however, drew the criticism.
Her actions Saturday morning is at odds with her midafternoon Sunday statement, as pointed out by many voters and other colleagues in the General Assembly. While the Facebook account associated with her campaign from last fall is active, her account on X does not exist anymore.
“This is why reasonable people are leaving the Democrat Party in North Carolina,” said Rep. Erin Paré, a Wake County Republican. “This is a sitting state legislator who is publicly applauding the beheading of President Trump just hours after a state legislator in our country and her spouse were murdered in cold blood. Horrible.”
The North Carolina Republican Party on Sunday morning said, “Political violence should be condemned, not encouraged.”
Rep. Chris Humphrey, R-Lenoir, said, “Some people hate a duly elected leader, who won by landslide, more than they love America.”
Midafternoon Sunday, first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall of Caldwell County and Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger had not commented publicly on von Hafen.
Von Haefen, certified Guardian ad Litem according to her campaign website, first won election to the state House of Representatives in the 2018 midterms. She’s been reelected three times and touts her work with the parent teacher organizations at the school, county and state levels.
She’s licensed to practice law in Ohio, Arizona and California.
The North Carolina Democratic Party remained silent on von Haefen’s actions. About six hours after her post, the party chairwoman issued a statement about what happened in Minnesota on Saturday. There, a lawmaker and her husband were shot to death, and another lawmaker and his wife were injured in a shooting.
One man is being sought for both shootings.
“We condemn these horrific acts and stand united against all forms of violence, especially those driven by political motives,” Chairwoman Anderson Clayton said. “Our hearts and thoughts are with the families as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.”
The Wake County Republicans, in a statement shared with The Center Square, said in part, “Wake GOP is calling for the resignation of Rep. Julie von Haefen for promoting the beheading of President Trump on social media.
“This kind of political hate has caused violence against elected officials across North Carolina and the country. So far there has been silence from North Carolina Democrats, the party which wins elections with lies and heated rhetoric. There is no place for political violence in this country, and we hope Wake and North Carolina Democrats will join us in the condemnation of these comments and demand von Haefen step down.”
The No Kings protests were held in rebuttal to Trump hosting a parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary. More than 1,700 were scheduled, including 27 in the Tarheel State.
For context, and Republicans say irony, most of the protests Saturday were led by the party – Democrats – that was insistent on vaccine shots to retain federal jobs including the military; led the closure and slow reopening of schools during COVID-19; and held primaries for president last year only to welcome Kamala Harris and eventually Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as their ticket 107 days before the election.
Trump won by more than 2 million votes, sweeping the seven swing states in electoral college votes 93-0.
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