In a video uncovered on Sunday, Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser called top Democratic officials in his state “witches” and hinted at assassinating GOP representatives who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.

“Our job now is to soften up those three witches and make sure we have good candidates to run against them, that they are ready for the burning at the stake,” Weiser said to a room of GOP allies. Weiser is referring to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) in Michigan who are up for reelection in 2022.

Someone in the room then asked Weiser his thoughts on two Michigan members of the House – Reps. Fred Upton (R-Michigan) and Peter Meijer (R-Michigan) – who had voted in favor of impeaching Trump. Weiser said, “Other than assassination, I have no other way than voting them out.”

Whitmer quickly denounced Weiser’s comments and released a statement through a spokesperson Sunday. “Given the dramatic increase in death threats against Michigan elected officials during the Trump Administration, this type of rhetoric is destructive and downright dangerous,” the statement read.

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Nessel and Benson also took Weiser’s comments in stride. Nessel wrote a statement, accompanied  with a picture of her and Benson in witches hats, reading, “Witches who magically decrease Covid spread, increase voter turnout and hold sexual predators accountable without any help from the legislature? Sign me up for that coven.”

Weiser eventually released his own statement saying, “I want to thank my friends and supporters who sent me thoughtful feedback today. I made some comments that are clearly being taken out of context. While I should have chosen my words more carefully, anyone who knows me understands I would never advocate for violence.”

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