Full Breakdown
New Hampshire Libertarian Party’s Pro-Assassination Post Sparks Broad Condemnation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The post, later edited but still visible on Wednesday, was authored by party chair Jeremy Kauffman. The account amassed more than 317,000 views before being temporarily locked for violating X’s rules.
Background & Context
The New Hampshire Libertarian Party has a history of incendiary rhetoric, including earlier posts endorsing the assassination of Vice President Kamala Harris and threatening former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky after his tax proposal. The group lost its affiliation with the national Libertarian Party in May after a 15-2 vote to decertify it, citing “anti-libertarian” actions and an endorsement of former President Donald Trump in 2024. Kauffman, a former Free State Project leader ousted in 2023, has used provocative language to attract attention on social media.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Kelly Ayotte called the post “irresponsible and dangerous,” urging law-enforcement investigation and prosecution. Representative Chris Pappas said political assassination rhetoric has no place in New Hampshire or the nation. Representative Maggie Goodlander demanded state and federal investigations, describing the threats as “anti-American.” Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cinde Warmington joined the call for action, and House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson reported the post to the state attorney general. The national Libertarian Party disavowed the extremist comments and confirmed the disaffiliated New Hampshire group does not represent the party.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic officials across the state condemned the message as a murder threat. Lily Tang Williams, the Republican congressional nominee with Libertarian ties, labeled the rhetoric “dangerous and unacceptable.” Greg Moore, regional director of Americans for Prosperity, noted the group’s strategy appears designed to exploit social-media algorithms through outrage. The newly formed Granite State Libertarian Party, chaired by Rachel Danner, publicly rejected the violent messaging and called for the disaffiliated group’s X account to be removed.
Data & Statistics
- The X post generated over 317,000 views before being locked.
- The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire raised $7,000 in an appeal against its national decertification.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact wording of earlier threats. Some cite a post urging followers to “light Democrats on fire,” while others reference only the assassination language. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office confirmed awareness of the recent post but declined further comment, leaving the status of any formal investigation unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Rhetoric calling for political assassination has no place in New Hampshire or our country — something we should all be able to agree on regardless of our political beliefs,” — Representative Chris Pappas
- “Violent rhetoric has no place in our politics, and threats like this should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” — Kelly Ayotte, governor
- “I condemn, with every fiber of my being, the threats of and calls for murder from the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire,” — Representative Maggie Goodlander
- “LPNH believes that New Hampshire is healthier and freer when anyone who would enact an income tax fears for their life,” — Jeremy Kauffman, party chair
What’s Next
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire’s X account remains temporarily suspended, with the platform indicating a possible ban of a week or longer. The national Libertarian Party’s legal team is reviewing options to protect the party’s brand, while the Granite State Libertarian Party has pledged to certify members who oppose political violence. State and federal law-enforcement agencies have been urged to investigate, but no official charges have been announced.
