Arizona Republican Rep. John Gillette is once again at the center of a political firestorm — and this time, it’s far more than just another bad take on social media.
After already drawing sharp criticism for saying U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal should be “tried, convicted and hanged,” Gillette doubled down this week, telling the Arizona Republic that his only regret was the method of execution he suggested. “Firing squad” would’ve been better, he said.
Thirty advocacy organizations across Arizona are now demanding the state House take action, calling Gillette’s remarks not only dangerous but a clear incitement to political violence.
“To incite violence against Representative Jayapal, who has already faced deadly threats and intimidation, is unconscionable,” reads the letter, which was obtained by the Arizona Mirror.
Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, has indeed faced real threats before — including an armed man showing up outside her home to harass her. That’s the context behind Gillette’s comments, which many say could easily inspire more violence.
Yet Gillette insists he’s done nothing wrong.
He posted a statement to his Facebook page denying that he ever called for Jayapal’s execution, calling initial reporting on his X post “demonstrably false.” But his own words say otherwise.
In the original post — which X limited for violating its policy on violent threats — Gillette responded to a video of Jayapal encouraging peaceful protest by saying:
“Until people like this, that advocate for the overthrow of the American government are tried convicted and hanged… it will continue.”
Later, Gillette accused Jayapal of treason, saying any American who “attempts to overthrow the United States Government” should face the death penalty.
“That is not my invention; it is established law,” he wrote.
Except it isn’t. Under federal law, insurrection carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison — not death. Treason, which has a far narrower legal definition, can carry the death penalty, but only for “levying war” against the U.S. or giving aid to the nation’s enemies. Peacefully protesting a sitting president doesn’t meet either standard.
Gillette also tried to justify his statement by claiming he called for due process. But critics say that’s an empty gesture, especially considering his support for the Trump supporters who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. He’s called those 1,600+ individuals “political prisoners,” even though many of them assaulted law enforcement and attempted to halt the peaceful transfer of power. Most have since been pardoned by Trump.
It’s not the first time Gillette has tried to rewrite reality.
After the recent assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband — a tragedy that stunned the country — Gillette spread conspiracy theories attempting to pin the blame on Democrats. In truth, the accused shooter was an outspoken Trump supporter.
The thirty organizations behind the letter to House Speaker Steve Montenegro are warning that Gillette’s rhetoric isn’t just ugly — it’s dangerous.
“This call for execution is deeply concerning in light of the recent assassination of Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, the shooting of Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, the murder of Charlie Kirk, and the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home,” the letter states.
Despite the outcry, Gillette hasn’t pulled back. In fact, he’s escalated.
Following the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, some of his Democratic colleagues called for unity. Gillette responded by blasting all Democrats in a message to the full Arizona House, using a racial slur and historical references that left lawmakers stunned.
“The tone was set by your party; unity is no longer an option,” Gillette wrote in a Sept. 14 message. “We handed you an olive ranch (sic), and you broke it. Your party invited the radicals to the table and they took over. Now you own them. As the J**s did at Peral (sic) Harbor, Radical Muslims on 911, your party has woken the sleeping giant.”
It didn’t stop there. Just last month, Gillette faced an ethics complaint over Islamophobic comments. That complaint was dismissed, with the Republican chair of the Ethics Committee citing Gillette’s First Amendment rights.
Now, the same excuse is being used again — but pressure is mounting. The list of organizations demanding action includes Reproductive Freedom for All Arizona, Arizona Education Association, Arizona Poor People’s Campaign, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Mi Familia Vota, the Human Rights Campaign, League of Women Voters, and many others.
What they’re asking is simple: accountability.
“Representative Gillette’s comments were disorderly behavior of the highest order, reflect a broader pattern of inciting political violence that put lives at risk, and should not be tolerated by Arizona House leadership,” the letter states.
Read the full letter below via DocumentCloud:
