Kill Trump Video Rocks AG Race

Person walking with stroller past numerous election campaign signs.

A Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General posted a video explicitly stating he wants to “kill Donald Trump” through capital punishment, sparking outrage from Republicans who demand accountability while Ohio Democrats remain silent on the incendiary remarks.

Story Overview

Former Ohio state Rep. Elliot Forhan posted a Facebook video on January 27, 2026, stating his intent to “kill” President Trump via death penalty execution after obtaining a conviction.
Ohio Republicans, including AG candidate Keith Faber and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, condemned the remarks as “vile” and disqualifying for prosecutorial office.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and the Ohio Democratic Party have remained silent despite calls for disavowal of Forhan’s threatening rhetoric.
Forhan has a documented history of controversial behavior, including a 2023 legislative censure for harassment and inflammatory posts following Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September 2025.

Democratic Candidate’s Shocking Video Statement

Elliot Forhan released a scripted Facebook video on January 27, 2026, declaring his plan to pursue President Trump’s execution. The former Ohio state representative stated, “I want to tell you what I mean when I say that I am going to kill Donald Trump,” before clarifying he intended to secure a criminal conviction followed by capital punishment. Forhan framed his remarks as a legal commitment tied to his candidacy for Ohio Attorney General, stating he would “obtain a conviction resulting in a sentence duly executed of capital punishment.” This explicit language distinguishes his comments from typical political criticism by directly invoking deadly force through prosecutorial power.

Republicans Demand Accountability From Silent Democrats

Ohio Republican leaders responded swiftly to Forhan’s video with unified condemnation on January 28, 2026. Keith Faber, the Republican candidate for Attorney General and current State Auditor, called the remarks “vile” and declared Forhan “not qualified to be attorney general.” Vivek Ramaswamy, running for governor, labeled the silence from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton as “utterly shameful,” suggesting her refusal to denounce Forhan constitutes tacit endorsement. State Senator Rob McColley demanded disavowal from prominent Democrats including David Pepper, Acton’s running mate and former Ohio Democratic Party chair, while Republican treasurer candidate Jay Edwards pointed to Forhan’s “pattern” of violent rhetoric as evidence of unfitness for prosecutorial office.

Troubling Pattern of Extremist Behavior

Forhan’s latest comments align with a documented history of controversial conduct during and after his single term in the Ohio House from 2023 to 2024. The Ohio House Democratic Caucus censured Forhan in 2023, stripping him of committee assignments and office access for alleged harassment and intimidation of colleagues. He subsequently lost reelection and placed third in the 2024 Democratic primary. Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025, Forhan posted “F*** Charlie Kirk” on social media, which critics now cite as evidence of escalating violent rhetoric. This pattern raises serious concerns about his temperament and judgment, particularly for a role requiring impartial administration of justice and prosecutorial discretion.

Implications for Ohio Elections and Political Discourse

The controversy erupts during Ohio’s 2026 election cycle in a state where President Trump maintains strong support among voters. Forhan’s remarks threaten to damage Democratic prospects by forcing candidates like Amy Acton to either defend or repudiate inflammatory statements from within their party. The silence from Ohio Democrats creates political vulnerability, allowing Republicans to portray the party as tolerating extremist rhetoric against the sitting president. Beyond immediate electoral consequences, Forhan’s comments contribute to a toxic political climate where prosecutorial positions are weaponized for partisan purposes, undermining public trust in legal impartiality. For conservatives who value law and order alongside constitutional protections, using an Attorney General candidacy to threaten execution of political opponents represents a dangerous erosion of prosecutorial ethics and the rule of law itself.

As of January 28, 2026, Forhan’s candidacy remains active with the video still posted online. The Ohio Democratic Party’s continued silence speaks volumes about either their inability to control extremist elements or their calculated decision to avoid alienating anti-Trump factions within their base. Either explanation reflects poorly on a party seeking statewide office in a conservative-leaning state. The episode underscores a troubling willingness among some on the left to abandon democratic norms and embrace authoritarian rhetoric when targeting political opponents, particularly President Trump. Ohio voters deserve leaders who respect constitutional processes rather than candidates who campaign on promises to leverage prosecutorial power for political executions.