A North Carolina lawmaker is facing intense backlash after sharing a provocative protest image many say crosses the line into political extremism. Democratic State Representative Julie von Haefen posted a video on her X account (formerly Twitter) that included a disturbing image: a protester holding a sign featuring a guillotine, flanked by two decapitated head props—one bearing what appeared to be the likeness of former President Donald Trump, the other marked with a Nazi swastika.
The sign’s message: “In these difficult times some cuts may be necessary.”
The chilling image, tied to the “No Kings” protest movement, went viral fast—and so did the outrage.
Deleted Account, But Not the Fallout
Facing swift public condemnation, von Haefen deleted the entire social media account shortly after the post gained traction. By Sunday, she attempted damage control through a written statement.
“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,” von Haefen wrote.
She went on to clarify that she does not condone political violence of any kind.
“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.”
Her apology, however, hasn’t stopped the mounting criticism.
GOP Leaders Slam ‘Glorification of Violence’
Among the most vocal critics was North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, a Republican who denounced the post as dangerously irresponsible.
“On the same weekend that a gunman in Minnesota targeted state lawmakers in an act of political violence, and after two attempted assassinations of President Trump within the past year, Representative von Haefen (D-Wake) shared an image of a ‘protest sign’ that glorifies violence against her political opponents—including President Donald Trump,” Hall said.
“Her disgraceful behavior fails to meet the standards expected from House members and sets a dangerous precedent in an already volatile political climate,” he added. “I am examining next steps with our legislative attorneys to ensure this behavior does not continue.”
Legal Questions Over Deleted Account
The fallout might extend beyond public relations and into the legal realm. According to The North State Journal, von Haefen’s deletion of her X account could potentially violate state records retention laws, a requirement for elected officials to preserve official communications.
That issue is expected to receive further scrutiny in the coming days, especially as legal teams assess whether a formal investigation or disciplinary action is warranted.
A Nation on Edge Amid Political Tensions
The controversy comes at a time of rising political tensions. The No Kings movement, while claiming to advocate for democratic accountability and anti-authoritarianism, has drawn criticism for harboring increasingly radical elements. Protests tied to the movement erupted nationwide over the weekend, though fewer than 2% of Americans participated, according to crowd estimates.
Still, the imagery circulating online, particularly one so graphically symbolic as a guillotine, adds fuel to a political atmosphere already fraught with anxiety following multiple high-profile attacks on elected officials.
For many, this latest episode raises deeper questions: How far is too far in political protest? And what responsibility do elected leaders bear when amplifying incendiary content?
