Social Media Post Backing Assassination Of New Hampshire's Elected Democrats Met With Condemnation

By Nancy West, InDepth NH

The social media post by the Libertarian Party of NH calling for the assassination of elected Democrats in NH was met with condemnation Wednesday, including by the Granite State Libertarian Party that said LPNH had its affiliate status revoked by the national party in May.

The original post by LPNH chair Jeremy Kauffman on X was referred to Attorney General John Formella. It remains live on X saying, “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.”

Mike Garrity, spokesman for Formella, said: “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.”

Kauffman, who chairs the Libertarian Party of NH, said the post was not taken down as originally reported, and posted on Wednesday, “We’re in the news. LPNH believes that New Hampshire is healthier and freer when anyone who would enact an income tax fears for their life.”

It wasn’t the first threat made by the Libertarian Party of NH.

Kauffman also previously threatened former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky’s life after he and others proposed a new school funding plan that included an income tax and a statewide property tax to cover the state’s costs.

In 2024, Kauffman posted a video on social media of two men he said were FBI agents who went to his house after he posted about Vice President Kamala Harris, saying “Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero.”

The two men asked Kauffman to stop videotaping. One said he was there to ask Kauffman about some posts and they left when Kauffman refused to stop videotaping them after a brief exchange.

Kauffman sought to become chair of the national Libertarian Party earlier this year, but was defeated, and the national party decertified the New Hampshire Party for a number of reasons associated with Kauffman’s actions such as endorsing Donald Trump for president and not the Libertarian candidate.

Statements made by LPNH or its social-media accounts do not represent the Granite State Libertarian Party, its chairman said.

Granite State Libertarian Party Chair Rachel Danner said: “The call for the assassination of Democratic elected officials in the state of NH is absolutely against the core values of Libertarianism and the Libertarian Party as a whole.

“This kind of behavior is why we formed the Granite State Libertarian Party. LPNH has consistently misrepresented Libertarian values in the state of NH, and our goal as an organization is to encompass those true core values and focus on achieving liberty in our lifetime through the means of peaceful participation, elections, advocacy, and engagement.”

Deputy Speaker of the House Steven Smith (R-Charlestown) and House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) today issued a joint statement condemning recent online posts calling for violence against elected officials.

“The Libertarian Party’s posts calling for the assassination of Democrats are completely unhinged and unacceptable. No matter your party, political violence has zero place in New Hampshire, period. We need to drop this garbage, get back to regular debating, and settle our differences the right way,” said Smith.

Minority Leader Simpson added, “Calls for the assassination of elected officials must be condemned without hesitation. Regardless of party, every leader has a responsibility to reject this dangerous rhetoric. No one should fear for their life because of their beliefs or their decision to serve the people of New Hampshire.”

Simpson said earlier: “We take this threat seriously. I immediately contacted State House Security and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure they are aware and can monitor the situation to keep our members safe. I have asked the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and pursue any warranted legal action. Anyone who has broken the law must be held accountable.

“We can disagree and debate. But no one should fear for their life because of their beliefs or their decision to serve the people of New Hampshire. Threats of murder cannot become something we accept, excuse, or ignore,” Simpson said.

Kauffman could not be immediately reached for comment.

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.