The Ashland County Fair in Ohio took a decisive action on Thursday when it removed a booth operated by the Ohio Democratic Party. The booth featured buttons with politically charged slogans that fair officials deemed inappropriate for a family-friendly event. The controversial buttons targeted President Donald Trump, with one displaying a red cap labeled "felon" and the phrase "Is he dead yet?" Another button provocatively read, "One day we will wake up to his obituary."
Fair organizers emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. "We are a family-friendly fair and do not condone this from any vendor/merchant. We apologize for those who saw the display," stated a post on the fair's official Facebook page.
In response, the Ashland County Democratic Party acknowledged that the buttons were in poor taste but strongly denied any endorsement of political violence. "We express our ideas using our words and peaceful demonstrations. We do not and will never endorse political violence," the party said in a public statement.
The incident occurred in a politically charged climate still reeling from the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The tragedy unfolded on September 10, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was fatally shot just minutes into his "American Comeback Tour." The law enforcement response was swift, with the Charlotte Observer reporting that officers acted promptly to the situation.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider confirmed that the Secret Service is investigating the incident at the fair. ABC 5 reported that Schneider is also contemplating potential criminal charges related to the display. "We will look at all of the information from a fact standpoint to determine what, if any, violations of Ohio criminal law have been committed," Schneider stated.
The buttons have been interpreted by some, including RedState, as a veiled call to violence against the president. The coded references to Trump as the "47th president" were particularly scrutinized. Critics argue that such inflammatory messaging from the left has encouraged extremist actions, posing real dangers to conservative political figures and activists.
Further controversy has been sparked by former FBI Director James Comey's social media post, which was widely criticized for appearing to endorse violent rhetoric. The post has intensified the debate over the responsibility of high-profile individuals in moderating their language on public platforms.
The Democratic Party has framed the booth's removal as an act of censorship, accusing local Republican officials of attempting to silence their speech. Party leaders have described the incident as "part of a dangerous pattern" of government overreach aimed at suppressing dissenting voices.
Despite the controversy, Ashland County officials maintain that while political expression is welcome at the fair, any messaging that crosses into threats or violent language is strictly prohibited. This episode underscores the delicate balance between free speech and public safety, a topic of heightened significance in light of recent violent events.
The removal of the Democratic booth at the Ashland County Fair serves as a stark reminder of the tensions between political expression and safety concerns. With a rise in violent incidents and threats tied to extreme rhetoric, officials, law enforcement, and federal authorities are vigilant in their efforts to prevent further escalations while upholding constitutional freedoms.
