Donald Trump supporter with machete threatens Democrats at Neptune Beach polling station

In a reminder of how turbulent the 2024 presidential election promises to be, the 18-year-old Donald Trump a supporter showed up at an early voting location in Duval County with a gun.

According to several reports, Caleb Williams appeared with a group of other Trump supporters before firing an 18-inch machete at supporters Kamala Harris. As a result of the incident, no one was injured.

Duval Democrats were quick to condemn the election intimidation.

“Violence and intimidation have no place in our democratic process. The Duval County Democratic Party supports those who seek to express their views peacefully and without fear of reprisal,” the chairman wrote. Daniel Henry in a statement on social networks.

“I am truly concerned about the violent incident that took place this week at the Beaches branch library early voting location. Voter intimidation has no place in our democracy. It is actually illegal and I applaud the Neptune Beach Police for their quick response. We must not allow politicians who seek to divide us to intimidate us into not voting,” the senator added. Tracy Davisa Democrat from Jacksonville.

The local Republican Party offered a statement that appeared to contextualize threats of violence, pointing to Democratic rhetoric and calling attention to threats against Trump.

“The Duval County Republican Party thanked the law enforcement authorities for the quick arrest of the person involved. In an environment of high political tension, with President Trump surviving two assassination attempts and Republican supporters being derided as Nazis and called “scum.” Joe Bidenwe call for calm as we approach the end of this election season.”

Law enforcement appears to be taking it more seriously than the local GOP, while avoiding ambiguity about “high political tensions” and selective quotes from the sitting president.

“Ensuring everyone’s right to vote is critical, and that will not be compromised in Neptune Beach or Duval County. This goes far beyond the expression of freedom of speech. “To say your figure is your First Amendment right, but that goes out the window when you raise a machete over your head in a threatening manner,” Neptune Beach Police Cmdr. Michael Key said WJXT. “To say I’m worried is an understatement. I’m mad that this happened on Neptune Beach.’

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