Was the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'assassination' post a threat of political violence?
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's X account said it backs assassinating elected Democrats and that anyone unwilling should vote Republican instead. Officials from both parties condemned the post; the party called its statements legal, and its chair described them as self-defense.
Claim in dispute
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's posts, including its September 22 post about elected Democrats, are completely legal.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
This case classifies reactions to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's September 22, 2026 post about the state's elected Democrats. That post is the fixed reference point: did it amount to a threat of political violence, or was it, as the party and its chair have suggested, legally protected rhetoric or "self-defense"? This case does not decide whether the post violated any law; that is a question for readers and any legal process, not for DI.
InDepthNH.org (opens in a new tab) reported that in a post later taken down, party chair Jeremy Kauffman wrote, "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." New Hampshire Public Radio (opens in a new tab) and the Valley News (opens in a new tab) separately quoted the same first sentence. We could not independently retrieve the original post, which was deleted and is not archived; this account relies on these three outlets' matching quotations.
Governor Kelly Ayotte called the post "irresponsible and dangerous" and said threats like it "should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," according to NHPR. New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Raymond Buckley said openly calling for the assassination of elected Democrats is "a disgusting glorification of political violence." House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson said she contacted the State House's security office and the state Attorney General's office, and said "no one should fear for their life because of their beliefs or their decision to serve the people of New Hampshire." U.S. Representative Chris Pappas said rhetoric calling for political assassination "has no place in New Hampshire or our country," according to Newsweek (opens in a new tab), which says its reporters used an AI assistant to produce that article; we treat its quotations as lower confidence except where corroborated elsewhere. U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander and Republican congressional candidate Lily Tang Williams also condemned the post, according to Boston.com (opens in a new tab).
The New Hampshire Attorney General's office told NHPR it could "confirm that the New Hampshire Department of Justice is aware of the social media posts" but "would not be in a position to comment further at this time."
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's account separately said its statements are "completely legal," according to the Boston Globe (opens in a new tab), which linked that quotation to a specific post on the party's account. After X temporarily locked the account for breaking the platform's rules against threatening or glorifying violence, Kauffman wrote, "It remains a major asymmetry that communists can openly argue for mass enslavement, but patriots cannot advocate for self-defense," Boston.com reported.
The September 22 post was not the account's first. In September 2024, the account posted that "anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero," according to WBUR (opens in a new tab); the party later said in a statement that it "would never advocate for the assassination of a tyrannical President" and was "merely acknowledging how some members would react." In March 2026, the account wrote that under libertarian ethical theory it was "perfectly permissible to kill" former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky over his income tax proposal, according to NHPR (opens in a new tab). The national Libertarian Party disaffiliated the New Hampshire party in May 2026, according to the Valley News (opens in a new tab) and Boston.com (opens in a new tab), which both describe the party's Non-Aggression Principle pledge; the national party later called the September post part of a series of "violent extremist comments," according to the Boston Globe (opens in a new tab).
Timeline
7 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 15, 2024 to September 24, 2026
September 2024
2 events
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire posts about Kamala Harris
Incident
The party's X account posted that "anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero," along with other posts about shooting politicians, before deleting them.
[01]N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authorities
Source excerpt
Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero.
Reports an earlier, separate 2024 post by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire endorsing violence against then Vice President Kamala Harris, used here only for timeline background.
N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authoritiesParagraphs quoting the original post about Kamala Harris and the party's Monday statementLibertarian Party of New Hampshire issues "official statement on political assassinations"
Reaction
The party said in a statement that it "would never advocate for the assassination of a tyrannical President" and was "merely acknowledging how some members would react."
[01]N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authorities
Source excerpt
Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero.
Reports an earlier, separate 2024 post by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire endorsing violence against then Vice President Kamala Harris, used here only for timeline background.
N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authoritiesParagraphs quoting the original post about Kamala Harris and the party's Monday statement
533 days between recorded events
March 2026
1 event
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire posts about Andru Volinsky
Incident
The party's X account wrote that under libertarian ethical theory, it was "perfectly permissible to kill" former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky over his income tax proposal.
[02]NH Libertarian Party says 'perfectly permissible to kill' former Executive Councilor for income tax plan
Source excerpt
Under libertarian ethical theory, it is perfectly permissible to kill him.
Reports an earlier, separate post by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire threatening former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky over his income tax proposal, used here only for timeline background.
NH Libertarian Party says 'perfectly permissible to kill' former Executive Councilor for income tax planParagraphs quoting the party's post about Andru Volinsky and Rep. Alexis Simpson's statement
82 days between recorded events
May 2026
1 event
National Libertarian Party disaffiliates the New Hampshire party
The national Libertarian Party ended its affiliation with the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire in May 2026 and later recognized the Granite State Libertarian Party as its state affiliate.
[03]Backlash ensues after the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire calls for assassinations, again
Source excerpt
The Non-Aggression Principle is a fundamental core of libertarianism.
Reports the national Libertarian Party's May 2026 disaffiliation of the New Hampshire party, its statement on the September post, and reactions from congressional candidates.
Backlash ensues after the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire calls for assassinations, againParagraphs on the national Libertarian Party's May disaffiliation statement, and quotes from Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Lily Tang Williams, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post[04]N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' Democrats
Source excerpt
said its statements are "completely legal."
Links directly to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's own X posts and to Jeremy Kauffman's post about the account suspension. Those underlying X posts could not be independently retrieved as of the date accessed, so this article is cited as the source for their wording.
N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' DemocratsParagraphs on Governor Ayotte's Wednesday statement, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'completely legal' post, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post, each linked to the underlying X post
121 days between recorded events
September 2026
3 events
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire posts about assassinating elected Democrats
Incident
The party's X account posted that it openly supports the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire and that anyone unwilling should vote Republican. The post was later deleted.
[05]Social Media Post Calls for Assassinating all Elected NH Democrats
Source excerpt
We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
Same-day report that quotes the deleted post directly and attributes it to party chair Jeremy Kauffman. The post itself is not independently archived; this quotation is corroborated by New Hampshire Public Radio and the Valley News.
Social Media Post Calls for Assassinating all Elected NH DemocratsParagraphs quoting the deleted post and describing Rep. Alexis Simpson's report to the State House security office and the Attorney General's office[06]NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected Democrats
Source excerpt
We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
Reports the post and collects same-week reactions from the state Attorney General's office, the Governor, and Democratic party and legislative leaders.
NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected DemocratsFull article, including the Attorney General's office statement and quotes from Governor Ayotte, Raymond Buckley, and Rep. Alexis Simpson[07]'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sides
Source excerpt
We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
Corroborates the exact wording of the deleted post and reports the national Libertarian Party's statement reiterating its Non-Aggression Principle pledge.
'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sidesParagraphs quoting the post, the national Libertarian Party's statement on its membership pledge, Governor Ayotte, the Attorney General's office, and Rep. Alexis SimpsonNational Libertarian Party denounces the post
Reaction
The national Libertarian Party said calling for violence goes against its principles, citing its Non-Aggression Principle pledge, and reiterated that it had already ended its affiliation with the New Hampshire party.
[07]'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sides
Source excerpt
We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
Corroborates the exact wording of the deleted post and reports the national Libertarian Party's statement reiterating its Non-Aggression Principle pledge.
'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sidesParagraphs quoting the post, the national Libertarian Party's statement on its membership pledge, Governor Ayotte, the Attorney General's office, and Rep. Alexis Simpson[04]N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' Democrats
Source excerpt
said its statements are "completely legal."
Links directly to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's own X posts and to Jeremy Kauffman's post about the account suspension. Those underlying X posts could not be independently retrieved as of the date accessed, so this article is cited as the source for their wording.
N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' DemocratsParagraphs on Governor Ayotte's Wednesday statement, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'completely legal' post, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post, each linked to the underlying X postX temporarily locks the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's account
The social platform X temporarily locked the party's account for breaking its rules against threatening, inciting, or glorifying violence.
[04]N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' Democrats
Source excerpt
said its statements are "completely legal."
Links directly to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's own X posts and to Jeremy Kauffman's post about the account suspension. Those underlying X posts could not be independently retrieved as of the date accessed, so this article is cited as the source for their wording.
N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' DemocratsParagraphs on Governor Ayotte's Wednesday statement, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'completely legal' post, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post, each linked to the underlying X post[07]'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sides
Source excerpt
We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
Corroborates the exact wording of the deleted post and reports the national Libertarian Party's statement reiterating its Non-Aggression Principle pledge.
'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sidesParagraphs quoting the post, the national Libertarian Party's statement on its membership pledge, Governor Ayotte, the Attorney General's office, and Rep. Alexis Simpson
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's posts, including its September 22 post about elected Democrats, are completely legal.
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
Sources (1)
- N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' DemocratsParagraphs on Governor Ayotte's Wednesday statement, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'completely legal' post, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post, each linked to the underlying X post
Disputed claim
Openly calling for the assassination of elected Democrats is a disgusting glorification of political violence.
Sources (1)
- NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected DemocratsFull article, including the Attorney General's office statement and quotes from Governor Ayotte, Raymond Buckley, and Rep. Alexis Simpson
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 9. Dates: September 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
1 response on this page
New Hampshire Department of Justice "We can confirm that the New Hampshire Department of Justice is aware of the social media posts. We would not be in a position to comment further at this time."
Open source (opens in a new tab)NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected DemocratsFull article, including the Attorney General's office statement and quotes from Governor Ayotte, Raymond Buckley, and Rep. Alexis SimpsonExplicitly stayed outCase context: Was the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'assassination' post a threat of political violence?
Read more
The New Hampshire Attorney General's office confirmed it was aware of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's social media posts and said it would not comment further at that time.
Role at the time: Office of the New Hampshire Attorney General
Before the statement
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's account had posted on September 22 that it openly supports the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.
After the statement
New Hampshire's Governor and Democratic officials separately issued their own statements condemning the post.
NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected DemocratsFull article, including the Attorney General's office statement and quotes from Governor Ayotte, Raymond Buckley, and Rep. Alexis SimpsonWhy this label?
Relative to the fixed reference point, the Attorney General's office confirmed awareness of the post but expressly declined to characterize it further, which is an explicit decline rather than silence.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(8)
Reporting
Social Media Post Calls for Assassinating all Elected NH Democrats
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the deleted post and describing Rep. Alexis Simpson's report to the State House security office and the Attorney General's office
Excerpt
"We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire."
About this source
Same-day report that quotes the deleted post directly and attributes it to party chair Jeremy Kauffman. The post itself is not independently archived; this quotation is corroborated by New Hampshire Public Radio and the Valley News.
- Author
- Garry Rayno, InDepthNH.org
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authorities
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the original post about Kamala Harris and the party's Monday statement
Excerpt
"Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero."
About this source
Reports an earlier, separate 2024 post by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire endorsing violence against then Vice President Kamala Harris, used here only for timeline background.
- Author
- NHPR Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
NH Libertarian Party says 'perfectly permissible to kill' former Executive Councilor for income tax plan
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the party's post about Andru Volinsky and Rep. Alexis Simpson's statement
Excerpt
"Under libertarian ethical theory, it is perfectly permissible to kill him."
About this source
Reports an earlier, separate post by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire threatening former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky over his income tax proposal, used here only for timeline background.
- Author
- NHPR Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Assassination' post draws condemnation from all sides
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the post, the national Libertarian Party's statement on its membership pledge, Governor Ayotte, the Attorney General's office, and Rep. Alexis Simpson
Excerpt
"We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire."
About this source
Corroborates the exact wording of the deleted post and reports the national Libertarian Party's statement reiterating its Non-Aggression Principle pledge.
- Author
- Rick Green, Keene Sentinel
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
N.H. Libertarian group spurned by national party sparks fresh backlash with calls to 'assassinate' Democrats
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on Governor Ayotte's Wednesday statement, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'completely legal' post, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post, each linked to the underlying X post
Excerpt
"said its statements are "completely legal.""
About this source
Links directly to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's own X posts and to Jeremy Kauffman's post about the account suspension. Those underlying X posts could not be independently retrieved as of the date accessed, so this article is cited as the source for their wording.
- Author
- Steven Porter
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Backlash ensues after the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire calls for assassinations, again
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on the national Libertarian Party's May disaffiliation statement, and quotes from Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Lily Tang Williams, and Jeremy Kauffman's account-suspension post
Excerpt
"The Non-Aggression Principle is a fundamental core of libertarianism."
About this source
Reports the national Libertarian Party's May 2026 disaffiliation of the New Hampshire party, its statement on the September post, and reactions from congressional candidates.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
New Hampshire Libertarian 'Vote GOP' Message Backs Assassinating Democrats
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the deleted post and statements from Rep. Chris Pappas, Governor Ayotte, and Rep. Maggie Goodlander
Excerpt
"Rhetoric calling for political assassination has no place in New Hampshire or our country."
About this source
Newsweek states its reporters and editors used an AI assistant to produce this article, so its rendering of the deleted post's wording is treated as lower confidence and is used here only where corroborated by other outlets.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
NH Libertarian Party endorses 'assassination' of elected Democrats
Relevant passage: Full article, including the Attorney General's office statement and quotes from Governor Ayotte, Raymond Buckley, and Rep. Alexis Simpson
Excerpt
"We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire."
About this source
Reports the post and collects same-week reactions from the state Attorney General's office, the Governor, and Democratic party and legislative leaders.
- Author
- NHPR Staff
- Published
- Accessed