But my confidence that the culprits will be prosecuted is sorely lacking.
Posted on 09/22/2025 4:53:59 AM PDT by LouAvul
An Ohio sheriff is looking into criminal charges against his local Democratic Party for selling buttons that he and some Ashland County fairgoers say can be seen as threatening to President Donald Trump.
When Ohioans attend the fair, they expect a family-friendly day in the sun—but some community members told us that wasn’t what they got, due to a now-shut-down booth.
"It's shameful, it's unfortunate," fairgoer Dan Kaufman said. "That's the exact opposite of what we need in our country right now."
The Ashland County Democratic Party’s stall was full of buttons Thursday evening, ones that disturbed Kaufman. County Sheriff Kurt Schneider said they broke fair rules.
"A red ball cap with 'felon' across the top of it, 'Is he dead yet?' and some other innuendo about his obituary — we're referring to the president of the United States," Schneider told us Friday. "Also, a number, 86-47, which is removal of the President, who is the 47th president of the United States."
Fair officials asked the Democrats to put away those specific buttons, according to a sheriff's office report. But more complaints came, which Schneider said showed the buttons were still out there. The Dems were escorted out by law enforcement peacefully, he said.
The booth next door said they are glad they are gone.
"People should be able to say what they want, and I also agree that there are proper times," Bruce, who was working at a stall selling candy and popcorn, said.
On the other side of the aisle, directly across from the Democratic booth, was a memorial sign for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month.
State Sen. Bill DeMora, a Columbus Democrat, defended them.
"This is censorship," DeMora said. "It's a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech."
Kaufman disagreed.
"It’s a strict message of division and strife," Kaufman said.
Schneider said that he reported the incident to Trump's Secret Service, and his department is looking into possible criminal charges, as he and Kaufman thought they were threatening.
"Everybody can say anything, right? But then what are the consequences of what you say?" Schneider said. "This kind of nonsense, it can go somewhere else."
DeMora said that putting an opinion on a button that you don't like a president and want him out of office isn't threatening, nor is it a crime.
"[The sheriff] is wrong and will lose any battle in court," DeMora said.
Fairs should be a place to unite, Kaufman said, not divide.
"We have to come together, we really do," he said.
The sheriff says he will keep us updated on the next steps.
Let it go. See it as Holding their coat while they dig their own graves.
The DNC. The Party of Death, Destruction and Murder. Be careful around DemonRATS, America. They are out to kill you and your family and replace you with an illegal alien slave laborers. Concealed Carry will help you stay alive.
"This is censorship," DeMora said. "It's a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech."
So... he'd be okay with "KILL BILL!!! - Bill DeMora must be stopped to save our democracy!" bumper stickers?
The Democrat Party is the party of DEATH, DESTRUCTION, DEVIANTS, LIES etc.....ALL THAT IS BAD!
Exactly.
Calling Trump stupid. Hoping he’ll resign or be impeached. All protected 1A free speech.
Calling for a president’s death is not 1A protected free speech. It’s a federal felony.
As for State Sen. DeMora, I wonder how he’d feel if people called for his demise. I wonder if he’d be so calm about that.
This is insightful speech.
If you just "Let it go" then they are NOT "digging their own graves."
Letting it go just gives them permission to continue doing it. It becomes more acceptable as people see more of it.
We (society) need to come down HARD on things like this. Felony charges. Negative publicity. Huge fines. Put them out of business.
Good Sheriff.
You’re right.
> It becomes more acceptable as people see more of it. <
Yep. Poor behavior that is not challenged eventually becomes cemented into society. Then it’s very difficult to eradicate. We see that with trannys, for example.
A man dressed as a woman demands to be called “she”. The correct response is “sorry, no”. But everyone says “okay”.
So now you’re a hater if you don’t call he a she.
“My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins”
Isn’t there an exception carved out for “fighting words?” Calling for the death of a POTUS might be considered fighting words.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you posted. I would add, the members and supporters of the fringe group Indivisible are just as or more dangerous and insidious reprobates.
Ditto.
A really good sheriff would lock them all up and let the court figure it out while the dumprats pay lawyer fees.
“DeMora said that putting an opinion on a button that you don’t like a president and want him out of office isn’t threatening, nor is it a crime.”
Well, that’s not what happened, was it? They were posting hateful threats, not opinions of disapproval. Walk around with a shirt that says “death to Obama” and see how they react.
But my confidence that the culprits will be prosecuted is sorely lacking.
Democrats are not popular in Ashland County, Ohio.
Trump 74.31%
Harris. 24.48%
Jim Jordan 75.09%
Wilson. 24.91%
State Senator and Rep solidly Republican
This stunt will not make them welcome
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