A Democratic candidate running for Ohio attorney general sparked widespread backlash after posting a social media video in which he said he was going to “kill Donald Trump,” framing the statement as a hypothetical outcome of a criminal prosecution. The remarks, delivered in a roughly 40-second clip, quickly spread online and drew sharp criticism from Republican officials and political figures across the state.
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In the video, Elliot Forhan described a scenario in which former President Donald Trump is tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Forhan said his comment referred to securing a conviction by a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, followed by the lawful execution of capital punishment. He did not cite any specific crimes that would warrant such a sentence, but the explicit language of the statement triggered immediate controversy.
Republican leaders in Ohio condemned the video, calling the rhetoric inappropriate and dangerous. Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber, a Republican who is also running for attorney general, released a statement saying the remarks demonstrated that Forhan was unfit to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer. Faber also urged Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton to publicly denounce the comments, though she had not responded as of the latest reports.
Former state Rep. Jay Edwards, now a Republican candidate for Ohio treasurer, also criticized Forhan, arguing the video reflected a pattern of extreme behavior. Edwards pointed to Forhan’s past online statements and said invoking the execution of a president, even hypothetically, was deeply troubling given the authority of the office he is seeking.
Forhan’s past conduct has previously drawn concern within his own party. In 2023, Democratic leadership stripped him of all committee assignments and access to an office following complaints alleging abusive behavior toward staff and colleagues. Those disciplinary actions resurfaced as critics questioned his judgment and temperament in light of the latest controversy.
The video comes amid heightened national sensitivity to political violence and inflammatory rhetoric aimed at public officials. Despite the backlash, Forhan has not removed the video or issued an apology, and his campaign has not released a formal statement addressing the criticism.[/read]