Democrats use dangerous rhetoric in reference to their political opponents as if their words have no meaning, and I recently experienced the consequences of it firsthand.
Last week, my campaign received a death threat. It was not politics as usual. It was a message that shook me and my family to our core—a reminder that public service now comes with risks that no one should have to bear. And it came just days after Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s Democrat nominee for governor, told her supporters to “let your rage fuel you.”
Spanberger later attempted to clarify, suggesting she meant door-knocking and phone calls. But “rage” does not equate to civic participation. Rage is anger, division, and it creates a climate where threats and violence are no longer unthinkable. Words from our leaders matter, and when those words encourage hostility, we should not be surprised when hostility spills over into real life.
We have seen this pattern play out across the country: Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband was brutally attacked in his home, Rep. Steve Scalise was nearly killed at baseball practice, President Donald Trump narrowly survived two assassination attempts, and just a few weeks ago, Charlie Kirk was murdered in cold blood. Each of these tragedies reminds us that violent rhetoric is not harmless—it puts real people in real danger.
Here in Virginia, I now know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of that danger. A stranger decided to threaten my life. My husband and daughter had to face the reality that serving in public office has become so toxic that it could cost us our safety. That is not what service to our communities should mean.
Let me be clear: Political violence is wrong regardless of party. Threats, intimidation, and fear have no place in our republic. But too many Democrats excuse or ignore this rhetoric when it comes from their own side. This double standard is damaging. If we want to preserve the ideals of free civic discourse that keep America great, we must reject this injection of rage into our politics.
Republicans are talking about real solutions to real problems. We want to focus on the cost of living, education, public safety, and jobs. These are the issues that matter most to families. But when leaders tell people to be angry, to see their neighbors as enemies, they distract from those priorities and undermine the trust that holds communities together.
I am a wife, mother, a small-business owner and a public servant. I did not run for office to live in fear. I ran to help my community. No American, regardless of party, should receive death threats simply for doing their job. No child should have to sit at the dinner table and hear why their parents’ life is in danger because of politics.
Leaders must lead by example. They must choose their words carefully and use their platforms to encourage service, not rage; persuasion, not intimidation. That is the standard I will hold myself to, and it is the standard Virginians deserve from everyone in public life.
For my part, I will not back down. I will continue to serve my district with dedication, and I will continue to speak out because if we begin to treat violent threats as routine, we risk losing far more than individual safety.
Kim Taylor represents House District 82 in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Reprinted with Permission from Daily Signal – By Del. Kim Taylor
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
Don’t forget the healthcare executive who was slaughtered because of relentless criticism of insurance companies! The left is fueled by hate–they ALL practice it. Chuckie Boy said that certain SCOTUS members would “reap the whirlwind.” Maxie Waters said to confront MAGA people in stores and restaurants! If true “hate speech” were ever banned, the Democrats and their sycophantic media would all be jailed!
Good for you Kim Taylor! May the Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit and the angels protect you and your family during these trying times.
Let your rage fuel you, but only when you are leftist. If conservative used that slogan, which drives left, there would be calls for his/her head and hysterics about fascism. This woman like Maxine Waters is urging voters to act in criminal way , urging and demanding violence, where do we live? Who are the voters of these people?
Democrats and their vile hatred for ANYONE that disagrees with them. They TRULY are AMERICA’S ENEMIES WITHIN.
Good for you Kim Taylor. I pray your words in this article and the Daily Signal article resonates with the voters of Virginia to see what the type of person Spanberger and what she really believes in and the people of Virginia make the right voting choice.
She is advocating violence. I hope she has a good security detail and they remember to check rooftops. What she’s advocating may come back to haunt her
Unbelievable and such hypocrisy! Had a Republican made this statement the Communist Liberal mainstream media would have been out of their minds!
Fight Fight Fight!
MAGA rocks!!!
The Democrats have to use words like “RAGE” and name calling like Fascists’ or Hitler because they are trying to motivate their supporters to violent tactics so as to intimidate there opponents and those that support their opponents. Thee Crats have nothing else to offer, they have no message of hope, productivity or civil discord. These are evil godless people. They know only Power and Violence . They are a hostile evil group that call them selves (Democrats). There is nothing Democratic about this evil godless party of thugs.
The history of the political Left is the history of political violence. For more than 150 years, the political Left has threatened and engaged in violence as a matter of policy because it is a rare occurrence when they can achieve power through legitimate processes. The simple fact, which can be verified by perusing pretty much any history book, is that 95+% of all political violence is committed by the political Left.
And, look at the racist slurs she’s given to the Republican candidate for governor; Ms. Seares? However, she, being a military veteran and a very tough conservative woman….she’ll be the best for the state, if the voters are smart.
Dumba$$ocrat$ such as this are exactly what is wrong with the Olde Democrat Party. They used to be Americans, and thus on OUR side, regardless who won an election. Now, they are foreign, both in their language and bearing. I was a Democrat my whole life, and was proud of that fact, but along about 25 years ago, I gave that up. But I will never consider myself a GOP’er. Now I am merely a ‘VOTER”, and I will NEVER vote for another Dem.This lady and her comrades are the reason why.
It still continues to amaze me that voters put these kinds of folks in office and don’t seem to understand, as the article says, that words matter. Sadly, re-elections continue to put them back in their seats to do more damage. I am convinced, most voters are both blind and stupid….the evidence is clear…..look who’s in office and hear what they say. To not be able to acknowledge the hate speech and provocative language proves it all.
How about the teenagers ( under the age of 18) who assume that using a gun as part of the conversation to prove their side of the story is an acceptable behavior and then cry crocodile tears of sadness when sentenced to prison after being tried as being liable of the act of murder just like the adult they are claiming to be. We just had a teenager who at age 14, drew a gun and killed 2 people who were having an argumentive conversation with them and they shot the other 2 for disagreeing with their statements. They just got sentenced to 13 years and the only reason he only got 13 years was because tha was the maximum sentence that could be given an underage person who killed another person, The judge added the 1-3 year sentence to that, in the hopes that while he ages up, he will get the needed social therapy to understand that using a gun in conversation to kill the person who disagrees with you is wrong. Is this the acceptable “rage” as defined by Democrats?
Sadly Russia said to Reagan after the wall came down that they could not beat us in a war, but” if they infiltrated our low level political officethey could change us from within. The schools also are corrupt and destroying our children.Why? Are Muslims with no loyalty to the USA are in public office why are communist in public office their was a law against that because we are a Christian country who is at fault here for this happening.
Is spanberger a man or woman can’t tell anymore because of the way we have to be inclusive who made that word up.
one look is a dead giveaway. low iq. incapable of being a functional Amrican.
Democrats have called for violence for many years
Great Article!
Had enough yet??
She’s acting like the KKK , whom the democrats stupported.
The left is the party of hate and violence. Daily on radio or TV one of more of them encourage violent action
I will never vote for a demoncrat for any office.
ANY politician who uses this rhetoric should be taken off the ticket! That’s it.
I would love it if the democrats continued to reject the CR passed by the Republicans. As it is, the democrats hold the responsibility for the failure of Congress to pass a budget. After all, they are wanting Congress to pass the same CR that the democrats passed LAST year back before the Republican led House refused to pass the democrat’s “sugar teat’ with its largesse for illegal aliens that the democrats want to give now.
GO GIRL!!!