It surfaced for only a moment before disappearing — but by then, the damage was already done.
Screenshots circulated rapidly, outrage followed, and a single image taken from a crowded protest was thrust into the center of a widening political controversy. In an era already tense with fears of political violence, critics questioned how such imagery could be shared at all by someone holding public office.
North Carolina State Representative Julie von Haefen, a Democrat, found herself under intense scrutiny after posting a video from the “No Kings” protest in Raleigh. Among the crowd shots was a sign featuring a guillotine and a figure resembling former President Donald Trump.
Though the post was later removed, the reaction was swift and unforgiving. As criticism mounted online, von Haefen deactivated her social media accounts.
Republican leaders across the state responded with sharp condemnation. North Carolina GOP Chairman Jason Simmons and House Speaker Destin Hall both called for her resignation, arguing that the image crossed a dangerous line given the current political climate.
Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert also weighed in, describing the imagery as inappropriate and needlessly inflammatory.
Von Haefen later issued a public apology, acknowledging that she failed to notice the sign before sharing the video. “Yesterday, I posted a video on social media containing crowd photos from the No Kings protest in Raleigh,” she said. “One of the images included a protest sign that was inappropriate, and I later edited the video to remove it.”
She stressed that she does not support political violence, emphasizing that her work centers on unity and democratic values. Referencing recent acts of violence in Minnesota, she said there is no justification for extremism, regardless of political affiliation or target.
That explanation did little to satisfy her critics. Simmons dismissed the apology, saying the incident demonstrated a lack of judgment unbecoming of an elected official. He argued that her constituents deserved leadership that reflects restraint and responsibility. Speaker Hall echoed those concerns, stating that the post fell short of legislative standards and risked inflaming an already volatile environment. He added that discussions were underway with legislative attorneys about potential steps to prevent similar incidents.
Conclusion
The backlash facing Julie von Haefen illustrates how rapidly a moment of online expression can spiral into a full-scale political crisis. Although she has apologized and denounced violence, opponents argue that the issue extends beyond intent to accountability and public trust. As pressure for her resignation continues, the episode serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny public officials face — and the fragile line between protest, perception, and responsibility in a deeply polarized moment.