The Assyrians used a similar tactic by stacking all the heads collected in the first city that refused capitulation in front of the next town, so the population could best evaluate their options. Homan only has to collect a few, governors, mayors, city councilors, and such, and display them figuratively.
Leftists talk big and when they have the power they bully people. Like all bullies, they are cowards. Put one big city mayor in jail and the rest will capitulate quicker than you can say Barack Obama.