Political Harassment

Walz’s Departure: Conspiracy Theories, Threats, and the Limits of Debunking

The governor, Tim Walz, was forced to defend his administration due to a baseless conspiracy theory that did not directly implicate him, ultimately leading to his departure from the campaign. This situation mirrors the real-world chaos of Pizzagate, a right-wing conspiracy theory that caused a dangerous incident at a Washington, D.C. restaurant in 2016. In the current context, the conspiracy theory gained traction online, prompting Trump to take action, including suspending childcare funding and promoting a related theory about a Democratic lawmaker.

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Mace’s Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill Targets McBride: A Deliberate Act of Harassment?

In response to Sarah McBride’s election as the first openly transgender member of Congress, Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol. Mace’s resolution aims to prohibit individuals from using single-sex facilities that don’t align with their biological sex and seeks inclusion in the House rules package. While Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Republicans are seeking a solution and will accommodate McBride, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the resolution as insufficient. Mace plans to introduce similar legislation for federal property and federally funded schools.

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