The Hammer Meme Hits Hard
The right-wing is homophobic, transphobic, and politically violent
It’s been nearly two years since the former president attempted a coup and incited a mob at the Capitol, and none of his inner circle has gone to jail for it yet, while the right-wing continues to spread lies and encourage violence.
The mob was hunting for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in the Capitol on January 6, 2021. That threat hasn’t gone away.
A 42-year-old man broke into her home at 2 a.m. on October 28, 2022, just days in advance of the midterm elections, looking for her. He had a hammer and zip ties. His plan, according to his Mirandized and recorded interview with police later that day, was to demand that she tell him the “truth,” and then when (as he anticipated he wouldn’t) he didn’t receive the desired response, to break her kneecaps, thereby demonstrating to other members of Congress what happens to politicians who “lied.” He planned to use Nancy Pelosi to get close to another individual too. When he broke into her house, she wasn’t there, but he found her 82-year-old husband, who called for emergency help. In front of police, the intruder scuffled with Paul Pelosi, fracturing his skull.
Immediately, the right-wing spread baseless, homophobic speculation that the…
