A Wisconsin congressional campaign has severed ties with a transgender volunteer following the emergence of videos online that depict the individual advocating for violence against Republicans and supporters of President Donald Trump. Teha Delaruelle, a transgender activist who had been volunteering for Democratic Socialist of America-backed congressional candidate Katrina DeVille, was removed from all campaign activities this week as the videos gained widespread circulation.
"I want to be clear that I do not accept or condone violence or threats toward anyone and do not encourage violence, hate, or threats of any kind." — Katrina DeVille, Congressional Candidate
One of the videos, initially brought to light by Townhall columnist Dustin Grage, shows Delaruelle seated in front of a whiteboard bearing the stark message, “Kill your local Republicans.” In the video, Delaruelle is seen gesturing towards the slogan and stating, “We’re going to make this the moderate position in the state of Wisconsin.” This statement suggested an intent to normalize such extreme rhetoric within political discourse.
In another video, Delaruelle escalated the rhetoric by declaring an intention to initiate "trans jihad" against individuals associated with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, which broadly supports President Donald Trump. Delaruelle articulated the target of this proposed action, stating, “It’s about making the oppressor, the bigots, the animals that make up MAGA.” The activist further elaborated on the desired outcome, expressing a wish for conservatives to experience fear and anxiety in public spaces. “We’re gonna do the reverse. We’re going to make it so that they will be the ones that have to walk down the streets in fear, anxiety, and worry,” Delaruelle said, adding that such conditions would become “their new reality.”
Following the rapid circulation and mounting criticism of these videos online, Katrina DeVille’s campaign swiftly announced Delaruelle’s removal. The Western Journal reported that Delaruelle was immediately disassociated from all campaign activities. Speaking to the New York Post, DeVille confirmed the decision, stating, “They were actively creating a dangerous situation around my campaign.” DeVille also issued a clear condemnation of the rhetoric in a statement provided to the newspaper, emphasizing a rejection of any form of violence or threats. “I want to be clear that I do not accept or condone violence or threats toward anyone and do not encourage violence, hate, or threats of any kind,” DeVille affirmed. According to the campaign, Delaruelle no longer holds any affiliation with DeVille’s political efforts.
The incident occurs amidst a period of heightened political tensions across the United States, marked by several recent acts of politically motivated violence and threats. These events have consistently drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum, who frequently call for a reduction in inflammatory language and a return to civil discourse. The controversy also coincides with a period where Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have seen increased success in various Democratic primaries, including notable victories in New York City and other races nationwide, bringing their policy platforms and associated rhetoric into greater public scrutiny.
In response to the online backlash, Delaruelle released another video, addressing the controversy. In this video, Delaruelle suggested that the criticism stemmed from comments that others allegedly only express privately. “That’s enough to condemn me, I guess,” Delaruelle remarked, seemingly dismissing the severity of the public reaction.
Katrina DeVille is currently seeking the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. Should she secure the nomination, she is anticipated to challenge Republican Rep. Tony Wied in the upcoming general election. The district, located in northeastern Wisconsin, is considered a competitive area, making the campaign’s stance on political rhetoric and associations particularly impactful as it seeks to appeal to a broad base of voters. The swift action by the DeVille campaign highlights the sensitive nature of political discourse and the increasing scrutiny placed on candidates and their associates in an era of polarized politics. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges political campaigns face in managing volunteer actions and public perception, especially when controversial statements are made that contradict stated campaign values.
