Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has sharply criticized North Carolina state Rep. Julie Von Haefen after she posted a video from a “No Kings” rally in Raleigh that included an image of a protester carrying a prop depicting the beheaded head of President Donald Trump, according to The Washington Examiner. The rally was one of many held nationwide on Saturday to protest the president. The video, shared online by Haefen, also showed a banner with a guillotine and the words, “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary.”
Responding on X, Lee denounced the imagery, stating, “Calling for the president of the United States to be beheaded is un-democratic. It should also be un-Democratic. Tragically, it seems increasingly on-brand for today’s Democrats.” Lee called out the lawmaker further stating, “Deleting your public profile isn’t accountability — it’s hiding. North Carolinians deserve better.”
Also calling out the lawmaker, Rep. Mike Schietzelt shared his disbelief in the visual stating on X, “I cannot fathom the thought of a state legislator glorifying political violence *hours* after two state legislators and their spouses were shot in their own homes.”
According to the Washington Examiner, “Haefen’s post comes as police are searching for Vance Luther Boelter, the suspect in the shootings of two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers. Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and state Sen. John Hoffman, along with their spouses, were shot. Hortman and her husband were killed in the shootings, while Hoffman and his wife are out of surgery after being injured.”
After facing backlash, Haefen announced on Facebook that she had edited the video to remove the image of the protester with the “inappropriate” sign. She clarified her position, writing, “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.”
