Joe Walsh, A Former Tea Party Congressman, Calls For Armed Revolution If Trump Loses [Video]
Joe Walsh is a conservative, a former Tea Party congressman from Illinois who has made quite a name for himself with his controversial statements. Now, with less than two weeks to go until the U.S. presidential election, he’s apparently taken to Twitter to incite an armed revolution should Donald Trump lose his White House bid.
Former Rep. Joe Walsh: "If Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in?" https://t.co/e69bNkvpcc pic.twitter.com/W4yAdSB2c3
— CNN (@CNN) October 26, 2016
Something that political pundits seem to think is increasingly more likely than not. As CNN reports, even before former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh tweeted out his plans to arm himself against the government should Trump lose, most major polls and electoral maps have predicted a landslide Clinton victory. Before Joe Walsh made his social media threat to “grab his musket,” Donald Trump was already behind. And he continues to be.
So what gives, former congressman Joe Walsh? Did you really just say what it sounds like you said?
It sure looks like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6HhL_0y7dw
As CNN reports, former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh took his call for an armed revolution (in the event of a Trump loss) directly to Donald Trump’s favorite communication platform; Twitter. Using his social media prowess and the popularity he’s gained as a former Tea Party congressman-turned conservative radio host, Joe Walsh minced no words.
In addition to threatening to “grab his musket” in the event of a Trump loss, Joe Walsh also seemed to encourage his Tea Party-minded followers and supporters to join in the potential post-election loss revolution melee by adding “You in?”
On November 8th, I'm voting for Trump.
On November 9th, if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket.
You in?
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 26, 2016
Not surprisingly, a lot of folks were immediately quite concerned about the implications of Joe Walsh’s tweet, especially given the powder keg of discontent that has been festering in the U.S. throughout this highly contested and emotionally-charged election cycle. Many citizens have already expressed concerns that the outcome of the November 8 vote could spark violence, and the former Tea Party congressman’s social media words only added to those worries.
Jake Tapper of CNN fame quickly jumped into the fray, asking former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh to clarify his words. Walsh didn’t disappoint.
It means protesting. Participating in acts of civil disobedience. Doing what it takes to get our country back.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 26, 2016
Rather than backing away from a threat of arming himself against the government and participating in an openly treasonous revolution against a legally-elected President (though one not of his choosing), former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh doubled down on his threat, calling “grabbing his musket” “protesting” and “civil disobedience.”
Social media reactions to Walsh’s tweet have been many and varied.
Joe Walsh with his musket pic.twitter.com/wpLGX6VQG8
— Matt Osborne, Gender Heretic (@OsborneInk) October 26, 2016
Can you imagine what would happen if a Black Congressman made the threats Joe Walsh has?
— Ebony Noor #Revolt?? (@DarlingEbony) October 26, 2016
On Nov. 9th somebody will probably take his musket & beat his azz with it…
— Mahogany, MBA (@Mahogany1992) October 26, 2016
NOV. 11, 2016: revolutionary army led by Joe Walsh loses critical supply line when area Costco runs out of Monster energy drink
— tom mckay (@thetomzone) October 26, 2016
This isn’t the first time that Joe Walsh has used Twitter to threaten violence. As Complex reports, following the Dallas police shooting that left three officers dead, former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh posted a disturbing tweet in which he threatened President Obama and “Black Lives Matter punks” with violence, warning them collectively that “real America is coming after you.”
When u have ppl like Congressman Joe Walsh making terrorist threats against Blk citizens,THIS is why there is chaos pic.twitter.com/TEWzfNf2fQ
— Tariq Nasheed ?? (@tariqnasheed) July 8, 2016
Ultimately, the offensive anti-Obama tweet made by Joe Walsh was deleted, but the damage had been done. The former Tea Party congressman claimed that the controversial tweet resulted in death threats and that Twitter forced him to remove it to keep his account on the social media platform.
Rep. Ellison calls for DOJ to investigate Joe Walsh tweet
-Patterns!https://t.co/j53dy7J0iV— Good Grief! (@natespuewell) October 26, 2016
He followed up the deleted tweet with more anti-Obama rhetoric and by calling Black Lives Matter protesters “thugs.” Presumably because they choose to engage in civil disobedience and even sometimes arm themselves. Precisely what Joe Walsh has threatened to do if and when Donald Trump loses his presidential bid.
It's time 4 patriotic Americans to stand up & stand against all the Cop haters – from Obama to the thugs on the street.
It's way past time.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) July 8, 2016
Despite the immediate criticism of his tweet today, a tweet in which former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh threatens to take up arms against the government and encourages others to follow suit, he continued his tirade on Twitter. Indeed, Joe Walsh was still posting about an armed revolution on the event of a Donald Trump loss minutes ago, adding fuel to a very ugly fire.
I'm serious. I don't think a musket would do much good these days, but it's time for civil disobedience on the right. https://t.co/ThJPEbALWZ
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 26, 2016
So far, it’s officially unknown whether or not the threatening tweets made by former Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh have been reported to federal authorities (although there have been unconfirmed reports that the Department of Justice has been called to investigate them), or whether or not Twitter will allow them to remain on the social media site.
[Featured Image by Alex Wong/Getty Images]