Several local elected leaders went on social media and posted their thoughts about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, and one official’s comments have raised ire in the community.
Facebook accounts for each member of the Augusta Commission, Richmond County School Board, Columbia County Commission, Columbia County School Board, as well as Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, Grovetown Mayor Gary Johnson and members of the Grovetown City Council were examined to determine which leaders commented publicly on the tragedy that left one dead and two injured.
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Social media comments have been common on the platforms since the assassination attempt Saturday, July 13, at a Trump political rally. One spectator died in the attack that left the candidate with an injured ear.
Out of all of the accounts examined, only three local leaders spoke out about the event.
Augusta Commissioner and Chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Party, Jordan Johnson, caused quite a stir by blaming the former president’s rhetoric for the attack against him.
Johnson wrote: “Donald Trump’s dangerous, irresponsible, and often times violent rhetoric not only put his life in danger, but also those who support him. That’s not leadership. That’s not making America great. At what point will we understand that another Trump presidency is simply bad for all of us… even for those who support him?”
Other commenters chastised Johnson for “victim blaming,” with one asking the commissioner if he blamed rape victims for wearing provocative clothing.
“What a disgraceful and irresponsible comment from an elected official,” wrote one commenter, and another added: “You are my commissioner, and I am very ashamed of your HATRED. Do an unbiased job and do what you are paid to do. We don’t pay to hear your awful comments!”
Despite the backlash, the commissioner doubled down, stating, “Trump encourages violence. Period.”
Johnson could not be reached for further comment.
A screenshot of a comment made by Richmond County School Board member Shawnda Kettles Stovall began making the rounds and also raised eyebrows, which led her to clarify her statements.
“The stakes are higher than ever. A presidential candidate potentially set up his own assassination attempt to stir the pot and galvanize his people,” she wrote.
By telephone, Stovall said the screenshot of her comment was taken out of context. She added that she was presenting a hypothetical scenario and later released a statement on Facebook, walking back her original statement.
“American politics is about power, control and influence. Very rarely do we have large scale politicians that truly care about people, the state or country as a whole. We fall into the game each and every time. I don’t do fear mongering and I will forever encourage you to vote (locally first and always) bcs your vote does matter and we have more power than we realize and who we vote for locally has an immediate impact on our lives,” Stovall wrote.
The only other local elected official found to have made a public statement on social media was Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones, a certified peace officer.
“I truly anticipated that an assassination attempt would be made on Trump before the election. I also think another attempt is forthcoming. People are scared of Trump and the truth. I will go on record now and say that Trump will be the next President hands down,” Jones wrote.
When reached by telephone, Jones confirmed he wrote the post and said that he continues to pray for the former president’s safety.
“I stand behind what I wrote one-hundred-percent. I support Donald Trump,” Jones said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
