Kauffman says patriots "cannot advocate for self-defense"
Chair, Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
“It remains a major asymmetry that communists can openly argue for mass enslavement, but patriots cannot advocate for self-defense”
Source and context
Reporting
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
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. X temporarily locked the account for breaking its rules against threatening or glorifying violence.
After the quotation
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's account remained locked for at least a week, according to the Boston Globe.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Was the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'assassination' post a threat of political violence?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the fixed reference point, Kauffman reframed the party's rhetoric as legitimate self-defense rather than disavowing it, which defends the underlying conduct rather than rejecting or minimizing it.
- Recorded on
- Published here
Was the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's 'assassination' post a threat of political violence?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full caseNew 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.”Read statement
“Political violence has no place in America — period, ... As someone who survived an oppressive communist regime where political violence was common, I know we should never take for granted our ability to settle disagreements through free speech, peaceful debate, and elections.”Read statement
“I condemn, with every fiber of my being, the threats of and calls for murder from the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, ... You can disagree with someone as deeply as humanly possible. But in the United States of America you cannot call for their killing and go unpunished.”Read statement