Federal agencies ‘aware’ of NH Libertarian Party X post about Kamala Harris – NBC Boston

Both the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Hampshire and the Secret Service are aware of a social media post by the state's Libertarian Party that lauds anyone who assassinates Vice President Kamala Harris as an “American hero.”

Federal authorities confirmed to NBC10 Boston on Monday that they were aware of Sunday's message – which has drawn widespread criticism, including from the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate himself. But they would not confirm whether they were investigating the inflammatory remark, which has been deleted but was followed by more such comments.

And while the FBI also declined to confirm an investigation to NBC10 Boston, a prominent member of the state's Libertarian Party released a video that appears to show two federal agents attempting to question him about the post.

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire said it had deleted the original post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, which read “Anyone who assassinates Kamala Harris would be an American hero,” due to the site's rules, but expressed regret that libertarians could not speak freely there.

The political party deleted the message on X, formerly Twitter, and explained why: “It's a disgrace that libertarians can't speak freely even on a 'free speech' website.” Follow NBC10 Boston:

When asked whether they were investigating the post in question, both federal prosecutors and the Secret Service said Monday that they were investigating threats, but did not say whether that post was specific.

“We are aware of the tweet. While the Department generally does not confirm or deny specific investigations, threatening violence is a crime and those who do so will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable in court,” U.S. Attorney Jane Young said in a statement.

A Secret Service spokesperson told NBC10 Boston in an email: “The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire's social media post and we do not comment on matters involving intelligence information. What we can say, however, is that the Secret Service investigates all threats involving our protected individuals.”

President Joe Biden expressed gratitude that former President Donald Trump was doing well, but stressed that the Secret Service needs more help and that Congress should address its needs.

A representative of the Boston FBI office pointed out that it is common practice not to confirm or deny agents' investigations.

Jeremy Kauffman, who runs the state party's account on X, responded to a request for comment on NBC10 Boston's post on Monday with an email that said, “The Libertarian Party believes NBC journalists are lying propagandists who should be physically excluded from any decent society.”

Kauffman later shared a video on X that the party relayed. It shows a brief visit from two people. One posed as an FBI agent and wanted to ask questions about an online post. The interview was cut short because Kauffman insisted on recording the encounter.

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire continued its inflammatory posts on Monday, releasing an official statement noting that the post was “merely an endorsement of how some members would react to” the “assassination of a tyrannical president” – Abraham Lincoln is one such president, according to the statement – and that their style of communication is aimed at promoting the cause of libertarianism.

“We want progressives, socialists and democrats to be ashamed of living here. While we will not initiate violence against them, it is good when authoritarians feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Our posts are often explicitly aimed at promoting this cause,” the statement said.

On Sunday evening, Libertarian Party presidential candidate Chase Oliver also joined those condemning the original post, calling it abhorrent.

Also on Sunday, a man was arrested who federal authorities say may have tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump at one of his Florida resorts. Other leaders in New Hampshire delivered a message Monday when asked about the polarizing tone of political rhetoric: There is no place for violence in politics.

A man suspected of attempting murder was charged with federal weapons offenses on Monday.

“It's dangerous for the candidates, it's inappropriate and it could put us on a really dangerous path going forward,” political analyst Scott Spradling told NBC10 Boston. “I feel like there's going to be consequences for a tweet like that.”

In interviews, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties explained their previous calls to tone down political rhetoric, saying it could lead to violence.

“We need to police ourselves. We need to encourage each other to stop doing this,” said Chris Ager, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party. “This is 100% unacceptable, whether you're Republican, Democrat or Libertarian.”

“Whether it's against Donald Trump or Vice President Harris or anyone else, it has no place in American politics,” said Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. “Everyone needs to come together – work together – to try to put an end to this really ugly story of what's going on in politics right now.”