(The Center Square) – Three days after her social media post related to the beheading of President Donald Trump went viral nationally, a North Carolina lawmaker has apologized.
Rep. Julie von Haefen, D-Wake, was given the time for a statement following Tuesday evening’s voting session in the House of Representatives. The session was the first since the Saturday posting in which the chamber was together for floor votes.
“This weekend, I shared a video montage on Facebook that included an image that was inappropriate,” she said. “I realized that quickly and took the post down,” said von Haefen. “And I want to apologize today.
“I apologize to members of the House, to my constituents, and to any North Carolinian who is offended by what I posted. I’m sorry. Every one of us needs to take accountability for when we make mistakes. I am taking that accountability today, and I appreciate the opportunity to do so.”
Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, thanked her for taking responsibility before colleagues and constituents. He cautioned about behavior and consequences for all, and said the highest standard of role model is expected by all 120 members.
Von Haefen on Saturday made a social media post picturing of a woman holding signage with the image of a bloody, used guillotine; the words “In these difficult times, some cuts may be necessary”; and a prop on one end of the handle representing a beheaded Trump. The other end also had a head, a German Nazi Party swastika scrawled across the forehead.
Later Saturday, the nation learned of the shootings in Minnesota that claimed the lives of a Democratic member of the House of Representatives and her husband, and injured a state senator and his wife.
Minutes after The Center Square on Sunday sought authentication from her office, von Haefen posted to Facebook, “Yesterday, I posted a video on social media containing crowd photos from the No Kings protest in Raleigh. One of the images of a protestor holding a sign was inappropriate, and I later edited the video to remove the photo.
“Let me be clear: I condemn political violence in all forms. My focus remains on bringing people together and fighting for the values that matter to North Carolinians. Like so many, I was horrified by the violence in Minnesota. There is no place for that kind of extremism in our democracy, no matter the target, no matter the party.”
Von Haefen did not offer an apology at the time. She terminated her X account. Calls for her resignation poured in from Republicans, including a U.S. senator from Utah and congressional members from North Carolina. Hall said he was consulting with attorneys for the chamber about the matter.
Her caption on Saturday morning said, “No Kings Protest in Raleigh. Amazing turnout all across the Triangle today, including this event at the Capitol hosted by Wake Democrats and North Carolina Democrats.” There were hashtags for an expletive, no kings and Raleigh.
The No Kings protests were held in rebuttal to Trump hosting a parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary. More than 1,700 were scheduled, including 27 in the Tarheel State.
Von Haefen, certified Guardian ad Litem according to her campaign website, first won election to the state House of Representatives in the 2018 midterms. She’s been reelected three times and touts her work with the parent teacher organizations at the school, county and state levels.
She’s licensed to practice law in Ohio, Arizona and California.
