Words have consequences: Is Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez’s rhetoric fueling violence?

Earlier this month, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. The killer engraved one of the bullets with the chilling phrase: “Hey Fascist! Catch!” It wasn’t just a distorted act of violence — it was a political statement. This raises a disturbing question: when an elected official casually labels their opponents “fascist,” what happens when someone takes them literally?

According to the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has repeatedly used the term “fascist” to describe Republicans she disagrees with.

Gluesenkamp Perez accused her opponent Joe Kent of “carrying the same banner of fascism, of white nationalism, of the Proud Boys.” She thanked reporters for “doing the work it took to stop Trump’s march towards fascism.” She’s even described her own political movement as an “anti-fascist rural organization.” The CLF thinks she should rethink her strategy.

The danger of dehumanizing Labels

The term “fascist” isn’t neutral. It evokes images of violence and historical atrocities. When a member of Congress uses it to describe mainstream Republicans — including, by implication, the 50.3% of voters in her district who supported President Trump — she’s not just expressing disagreement. She’s dehumanizing. And when political language becomes dehumanizing, violence becomes easier to justify.

Where is the media scrutiny of Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s repeated use of the word “fascist” to describe Republicans? Imagine the roles reversed: if a Republican had labeled Democrats “traitors,” and a right-wing activist responded with violence, the press would erupt in outrage.

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