The U.S. Marine Corps has openly criticized Florida congressional candidate William Upham after he posted a video on social media advocating for the killing of President Donald Trump. The Corps quickly distanced itself from Upham, a medically discharged Marine, stressing that his statements do not align with Marine values.
In a public statement on X, the Marine Corps expressed awareness of Upham’s comments, stating they violate the oath he took and do not reflect the service’s values. Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, reiterated this sentiment on X by labeling the statement as “unacceptable” and clarifying that Upham no longer represents Marine values.
Upham, who appears as a qualified write-in candidate for Florida’s U.S. Representative District 5 race, made the contentious statements in a video while in uniform. He claimed his campaign aimed to dismantle the broken political system dominated by Washington insiders. Upham asserted President Trump would never unify the country and described him as the “enemy of God.” He called Trump a false Messiah and claimed he must be eliminated.
Upham argued that Pope Leo XIV’s criticisms of Trump, as well as an AI image portraying Trump in a Jesus-like manner, fueled his beliefs. He declared Trump as the anti-Christ destined for punishment, stating God’s will would triumph over evil.
Upham’s participation in the political race includes a bid for a seat currently held by Republican John Rutherford, covering areas in Northeast Florida like Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
This incident develops against the backdrop of growing concern over inflammatory political rhetoric in the U.S., as figures from both major political parties warn that language endorsing violence may foster a risky environment. Threats or violence against officials usually attract federal scrutiny, particularly against the president.
Historically, attempts on President Trump’s life continue to occur, including during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner earlier this year.
Efforts to reach Newsweek, the White House, and Marine Corps for comments continue.
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