1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

We expect members of Congress not to make threats of assault or illegal actions against others; to make such threats against fellow elected representatives brings their role into disrepute and undermines respect for the rule of law. I ask you to call for a censure on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Johnson recently called for a state governor to be tarred and feathered: this is a threat of mob violence. To call for such an attack shows contempt for the rule of law and due process; it could also incite stochastic violence. Let me inform you of the context of the speaker's words, which were on national media yesterday: Reporter Aaron Rupar: "The president said that if he were Tom Homan he would arrest Gavin Newsom. Do you believe Newsom should face consequences in a legal way?" MIKE JOHNSON: "Um, that's not my lane. I'm not gonna give you legal analysis on whether Gavin Newsom should be arrested. But he ought to be tar and feathered." It is reprehensible that the speaker of the house, who has sworn an oath to the constitution, should iadvocate extra-judicial violence. Words matter. Censure the speaker. Hold him accountable. Hold yourself and your colleagues to the standard of human decency and respect for the law.