NH Democrat Maura Sullivan faces GOP backlash for posting a photo with a sign some say signals violence against Trump.

Republicans Condemn Protest Photo Shared by Congressional Candidate

Republicans in New Hampshire are criticizing Democratic congressional candidate Maura Sullivan after she posted a photo at a “No Kings” protest in Portsmouth featuring a sign that read “86 47,” a phrase some Republicans interpret as a call for violence against President Donald Trump. Sullivan, a former Marine Corps officer, stood beside another veteran holding a sign that also included “Foxtrot Delta Tango”—NATO phonetic code interpreted as a derogatory reference to Trump.

While “86” is commonly used in restaurant and military slang to mean removing something, Republicans claim that in this context, it encourages the elimination of Trump, the 47th president. The controversy comes as political violence has drawn renewed scrutiny, with the Secret Service reportedly investigating similar references made by others, including former FBI director James Comey, who later apologized for a related post.

Sullivan is running for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District seat. Her campaign responded to the backlash by condemning all forms of political violence and referencing the recent fatal shootings of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota. Campaign manager Nick London said, “Maura is outraged and heartbroken about the assassination of a public servant in Minnesota. She believes that there is absolutely no place for violence in our politics, regardless of party or affiliation.”

Calls for Apology and Withdrawal

Republican officials have urged Sullivan to apologize and withdraw her candidacy, calling the post “dangerous and disqualifying.” New Hampshire GOP chair Jim MacEachern said, “Calls for political violence like this have no place in New Hampshire.” NHGOP vice chair Hollie Novoletsky added, “Whether the target of an assassination is President Trump or a Democrat State Rep in MN, it is unacceptable.” The National Republican Congressional Committee echoed these sentiments, with spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole urging Sullivan to remove the photo and exit the race.

London, Sullivan’s campaign manager, defended her attendance at the protest, saying she joined thousands in peaceful demonstration against Trump’s use of servicemembers in politics. The campaign emphasized Sullivan’s focus on veterans’ issues, mental health services, and military family support.

The incident has intensified debate over political speech and protest in an already heated election season, highlighting the growing scrutiny and risk for candidates navigating public discourse in a polarized environment. Sullivan has not publicly responded beyond her campaign’s statement. The episode underscores the high stakes and sensitivities surrounding political rhetoric, protest, and violence in American politics today.