Staff Reports
Michigan’s latest act of open hostility toward President Trump sends a chilling message about the state of political discourse in America. The controversy centers around a Michigan license plate reading “86TRMP”—a phrase unmistakably interpreted as “get rid of Trump,” and in some circles, as a call for violence against the President. Despite numerous state policies prohibiting messages that promote hate or threats, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson greenlighted the plate anyway, exposing just how thin the veneer of “civility” really is on the political left.
This is not an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of growing contempt for conservatives nationwide. The left pretends to value tolerance and peaceful debate, yet their actions tell a different story. Anyone brave enough to stand for traditional values, defend the Constitution, or express support for Trump finds themselves targeted—and it’s not subtle. When Democrats approve plates or public displays that suggest the elimination of political opposition, they only stoke division and normalize hatred in the public square.
Benson's Dangerous Double Standard: Just days after lecturing Michiganders about "turning down the hateful rhetoric," MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson approved a "86TRMP" license plate – slang for eliminating President Trump. I hope she QUICKLY reverses course and cancels the… https://t.co/UivkBmUQeU pic.twitter.com/XAZHAuegkW
— Kevin Kijewski (@KevinKijewski) September 23, 2025
Secretary Benson’s approval of the “86TRMP” license plate was a blatant violation of department rules barring explicit threats, but the hypocrisy is nothing new. Benson has repeatedly touted her administration’s commitment to reducing political violence, yet her office has become a stage for antagonistic symbolism, following in the footsteps of other Michigan Democrats who flaunt anti-Trump slogans with impunity. The rules are crystal clear: speech that incites harm is supposed to be forbidden. Yet it seems enforcement only applies if the target is a left-wing figure.
Consider the double standard. If a conservative crafted a license plate calling for the “86ing” of a Democrat, the outrage from media and government officials would be deafening and swift. Instead, liberal officials hide behind the shield of “creative expression,” dismissing threats as harmless jokes when aimed at their political enemies. The message to conservatives is crystal clear: sit down, shut up, and accept the abuse or you’ll be labeled a threat yourself.
Patriotic Americans must recognize that this kind of overt bias is not just about a bumper sticker—it’s about the slow erosion of respectful dialogue and equal treatment before the law. Left unchecked, this dangerous precedent puts every conservative at risk, both in public and private life. The time to reject double standards and leftist propaganda is now. America’s heartland should be a haven for free, civil discourse, not a battlefield where conservatives are forced to watch their backs. Stand strong or watch the darkness engulf our foundational freedoms.
