Concerns arise over Democratic candidate’s aggressive comments regarding senior Trump aide and previous statements.

A renewed call to remove Stephen Miller, a senior aide to former President Donald Trump, has sparked online controversy, especially with the background of North Carolina’s Congressional candidate, Richard Ojeda. Ojeda, in a livestream from March 2022, declared, “Stephen Miller needs to be kicked out! He’s a total worm. I’d gladly go to jail—any amount of money.” He added, somewhat emphatically, that if he encountered Miller in an elevator, he’d relish the chance to yell at him all the way up.

These comments didn’t sit well with the Trump administration, which swiftly condemned them. White House Press Secretary Khush Desai criticized Democrats for “disgusting support of political violence,” insisting that neither Miller nor anyone else would waver in their commitment to the Trump agenda. He even suggested Ojeda might need to seek help for his remarks.

Facing backlash, Ojeda clarified his stance. He asserted that despite his strong language, he doesn’t advocate for violence. He described his comments as a reflection of deep dissatisfaction with political figures like Miller. Ojeda stated, “His actions, and those who support him, betray our values. I can’t accept that.” He recounted a personal experience of being violently attacked while campaigning, emphasizing that he understands the weight of political violence all too well.

Meanwhile, Republicans have pointed to heightened fears surrounding inflammatory rhetoric after recent acts of violence, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Even within the Democratic Party, there are calls to denounce rhetoric that glorifies violence, highlighting the notion that “violent words precede violent actions.”

Ojeda’s candidacy for North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District has seen him raise significant funds, putting him in a strong position among Democratic contenders. He has a military background and has made several attempts to secure political office in both the House and Senate, though with limited success so far. In conversations following his comments, he noted that they were made some time ago, before he fully considered his current political ambitions, yet he reaffirmed his stance against political violence.

Despite his past anger, Ojeda expressed disgust at Miller’s influence, calling him a racist and emphasizing that many Americans share that sentiment.