Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) harshly condemned a North Carolina state lawmaker’s photo of a “No Kings” rally, which showed someone carrying a prop of a beheaded President Donald Trump.
Dozens of “No Kings” rallies were held across the nation on Saturday to protest the president, one of which was held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Democratic state Rep. Julie Von Haefen uploaded a video of the rally online, with a screenshot of the video showing one protester carrying the prop that also bore a banner displaying a guillotine and the words, “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary.”
“Calling for the president of the United States to be beheaded is un-democratic,” Lee posted on X in response. “It should also be un-Democratic. Tragically, it seems increasingly on-brand for today’s Democrats.”
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 https://t.co/fSo1UlIIRj
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 15, 2025
On Facebook, Haefen wrote that she later edited her video to remove the image of the protester bearing the “inappropriate” sign.
“Let me be clear: I condemn political violence in all forms,” Haefen’s statement said. “My focus remains on bringing people together and fighting for the values that matter to North Carolinians.”
NATIONWIDE ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST GRAPPLE WITH SECURITY THREATS FOLLOWING DEATH OF MINNESOTA LAWMAKER
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 sharing an image calling for the execution of the Democratically elected President of the United States, Rep. Von Haefen has quietly deactivated her Twitter account.
Deleting your public profile isn’t accountability — it’s hiding. North Carolinians deserve better. #ncpol https://t.co/O0FXDNpqaD pic.twitter.com/EEALRbeD1w
— Rep. Brenden Jones (@BrendenJonesNC) June 15, 2025
In NC Dem Rep Julie Von Haefen calls for the beheading of the US President. These Libs have lost their mind. The nation is NOT behind them. https://t.co/ZiAojc3QAp
— Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (@RepGregMurphy) June 15, 2025
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.
Unconscionable.
— Rep. Mike Schietzelt (@mikefor35) June 15, 2025
Multiple North Carolina lawmakers have also condemned Haefen’s original video, with state Rep. Brenden Jones saying she deactivated her X account to avoid “accountability.”