A DFL staffer who once called for sending Republicans “to the guillotines” faced backlash over the weekend for calling the new USS Minneapolis-St. Paul a “murder boat.”
William Davis, a research director and deputy communications director for the DFL, made the comments in response to the christening of the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul in Marinette, Wisconsin on Saturday.
“But actually, I think it’s gross they’re using the name of our fine cities for a murder boat,” said Davis, who later deleted the tweet.
Republican State Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River) called for Davis’ termination in response to the comment.
“I call on the Minnesota House DFL, Minnesota DFL and Gov. Tim Walz to denounce (and fire him) this ridiculous post from a paid staff member of their party,” Zerwas wrote on Twitter. “This is a disgusting insult to our brave men and women whom [sic] serve in US Navy to protect all of us.”
I call on the @mnhouseDFL @MinnesotaDFL and @GovTimWalz to denounce (and fire him) this ridiculous post from a PAID STAFF MEMBER of their party. This is a disgusting insult to our brave men & women whom serve in @USNavy to protect all of us.
#tcnt #mnleg #stribpol https://t.co/33e0sz6UrM— Nick Zerwas (@NickZerwas) June 16, 2019
House Assistant Minority Leader Jim Nash (R-Waconia) said on Twitter that he’s a “Navy dad and this seems to indicate that Mr. Davis thinks my son is a murderer.”
“I was at the launch and noticed that there was only one DFLer there and he was not from Minneapolis or St. Paul. Do all House and Senate DFL feel this way too?” Nash continued.
I’m a Navy dad, and this seems to indicate that Mr Davis thinks my son is a murderer? I was at the launch and noticed that there was only 1 DFLr there and he was NOT from Minneapolis or St. Paul. Do all House and Senate DFL feel this way too? @melissahortman @kenmartin73 #mndfl https://t.co/1j6j3Pj1UL
— Rep. Jim Nash (@JimNashMN) June 16, 2019
Dave Thul, a Minnesota-based Iraq war veteran and former GOP activist, noted that the “construction of the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul began in 2010, under a Democrat president, with funding authorized in 2009 by a Democrat controlled House and Senate.”
Furthermore, the construction of the USS Minneapolis St Paul began in 2010, under a Democrat president, with funding authorized in 2009 by a Democrat controlled House and Senate. https://t.co/aATAF7aAuv
— Dave Thul (@davethul) June 16, 2019
“Unbelievable that a DFL Party staffer would insult the US military in this way,” Thul added.
Unbelievable that a DFL party staffer would insult the US military in this way. Hey @kenmartin73 @GovTimWalz do you condone this? https://t.co/GDVkOalf01
— Dave Thul (@davethul) June 16, 2019
Davis later deleted the tweet and said he has “nothing but respect for all the soldiers of our country, including the Navy which my Grandpa and five uncles served.”
“It should go without saying that I was talking about a weapon of war that we continue pumping billions of dollars and manpower into,” he said.
“After a lot of consideration, some thoughtful offline discussion with Dave Thul, and because of the respect I have for his service and his concerns, I’ve taken the tweet down. I have never wavered in my deep respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of our soldiers, past and present,” he added.
After a lot of consideration, some thoughtful offline discussion with @davethul & because of the respect I have for his service & his concerns, I’ve taken the tweet down. I have never wavered in my deep respect & appreciation for the sacrifices of our soldiers, past and present.
— William Davis (@WilhelmDavis) June 17, 2019
As The Minnesota Sun reported in October 2018, Davis was temporarily suspended by the DFL after he called on fellow Democrats to bring Republicans “to the guillotines.”
Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released a statement Monday addressing Davis’ comment.
“Our men and women in uniform dedicate their lives to serve this great nation, give every day to defend the freedom and liberties of all Americans, and it is disappointing for anyone to minimize that. For anyone to refer to our military’s action as ‘murder’ is abhorrent—especially when that someone is a mouthpiece for the Minnesota DFL,” Carnahan said.
“Last cycle, the same deputy communications director of the DFL was suspended due to a social media post about sending Republicans to the guillotines, and now for the second time in less than a year, the DFL’s integrity is being questioned due to unacceptable and unnecessary activity on social media,” she added.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) spoke at the launch of the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, saying on Twitter that the “ship bearing this name will carry on a proud naval tradition around the world.”
One city is where the East ends, and one city is where the West begins: The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are a symbol of the unification of our country – and the ship bearing this name will carry on a proud naval tradition around the world. #LCS21 pic.twitter.com/wH5XCuc691
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) June 15, 2019
Stunning footage of the ship’s christening can be watched below:
What a sight! The future USS Minneapolis-St. Paul is launched in Marinette, WI. The @USNavy's news littoral combat ship (LCS 21) is designed to carry out close-to-shore missions. pic.twitter.com/h2s6RE2Frg
— Timothy Blotz (@TimBlotzFOX9) June 15, 2019
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
[…] As The Minnesota Sun reported Monday, DFL Deputy Communications Director William Davis wrote on Twitter that he thought it was “gross” that the U.S. Navy was “using the name of our fine cities for a murder boat.” […]