JEFFERSON CITY — The executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party on Wednesday responded to criticism of the state party’s recent social media post suggesting a Trump supporter’s house “burn,†calling the message inappropriate.
The MO Dens have been relegated to political oblivion.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt)
Calling for arson is a bad coping strategy.
The staff member “in question†has been reprimanded, Matthew Patterson, the Democratic official, said in a statement, without elaborating.
Both sides of the political aisle criticized the Monday post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Although the post was removed later that day, a screenshot was shared by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who called it “sick†and “disgusting.â€
The Missouri Democratic Party’s post came in response to a separate one by X user Jon Cooper asking, “What would you do if this was your next-door neighbor?†alongside a photo of a house covered in flags supporting former President Donald Trump.
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“The roof, the roof is on (fire), we don’t need no water, let the ‘insert your word’ burn!†the Missouri Democratic Party said in response. The phrase is from lyrics of “The Roof is on Fire,†by Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three.
“Here’s the Missouri Democrat Party advocating for a Trump supporter’s home to burn down,†Hawley said. “Sick. There’s no place for this kind of disgusting, violent rhetoric in Missouri.â€
The next day, Hawley posted on X: Missouri Democrats are “now trying to bury their cheerleading for violence, but where is the apology to Missourians — you know, the people whose houses they hope burn down? And have all MO Dems condemned this?â€
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., also weighed in on the Democrats’ tweet. Missouri Democrats, Schmitt said in a post on X, have been “relegated to political oblivion. Calling for arson is a bad coping strategy.â€
At least one prominent Missouri Democrat did condemn the post: state Rep. Sarah Unsicker, a Shrewsbury Democrat who is seeking the party’s nomination for Missouri attorney general.
“Any organization that would post something like this needs a new social media director,†Unsicker said.
In his statement, Patterson said Democrats removed the post “on our own initiative because it did not represent the need, even in these divided political times, for spirited yet constructive dialogue.â€
Patterson called it “beyond hypocrisy†for Hawley “to lecture people about inflammatory political activity.â€
Hawley of encouraging a violent mob gathered outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He offered a fist-pump to a crowd gathered outside the Capitol that morning.
On Tuesday, Trump was indicted for his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost.