‘WE WILL K*LL YOU’: Florida Sheriff Issues Explosive Warning to Leftist Rioters
By Newsroom Staff | Published: June 11, 2025
Introduction
A Florida sheriff has sparked national outrage and drawn both praise and condemnation after delivering a fiery warning to potential rioters: “We will kill you.” The comments came during a televised press conference Monday afternoon following a wave of politically charged demonstrations across central Florida tied to the enforcement of new federal protest restrictions under President Trump’s second term.
The sheriff, identified as Clay County Sheriff Travis Harper, made the statement while defending the arrest of 12 protesters during a confrontation at a county building over immigration-related raids. His now-viral declaration — “Florida is not California!” — has fueled a fierce national debate over policing, political dissent, and the role of law enforcement in America’s culture war.
The Sheriff’s Statement
“If you think you’re going to come into my county and burn buildings, attack deputies, or loot businesses like they do in California or Portland — think again,” Harper said. “We will use force. We will defend this community. And yes, if necessary, we will kill you.”
His comments were followed by applause from several local officials standing behind him, and the video has since been shared millions of times across social media platforms.
“This is not a threat. It’s a promise,” Harper continued. “We respect peaceful protest, but we will not tolerate anarchy.”
Local and State Response
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not directly commented on the sheriff’s language but reiterated his administration’s commitment to “law and order” in a separate statement Tuesday. DeSantis said: “Florida stands strong. We don’t bend to mob rule.”
Several county commissioners praised Sheriff Harper’s stance, with one calling it “real leadership in dangerous times.” However, civil liberties advocates and legal experts have strongly criticized the rhetoric.
“This kind of incendiary language from law enforcement is not just unprofessional — it’s dangerous,” said ACLU Florida spokesperson Vanessa Cortez. “It undermines trust in police and potentially incites violence.”
National Political Reactions
The sheriff’s statement has drawn national attention and sharply divided opinion along partisan lines. Former President Trump reposted the clip on Truth Social, adding: “A sheriff with guts. We need more like him!”
Democratic lawmakers, however, have demanded an investigation. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted: “This is authoritarian rhetoric, plain and simple. No elected law enforcement officer should threaten extrajudicial violence.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) countered: “The left is more outraged by words than by mobs burning cities. Sheriff Harper said what needed to be said.”
Protests and Community Fallout
Community organizers in Jacksonville and Gainesville have planned marches denouncing what they call “state violence and intimidation.” A petition demanding Sheriff Harper’s resignation reached over 250,000 signatures within 24 hours of the video going viral.
Yet, local polling shows strong support among rural Floridians. A flash poll by [Pew Research Local] shows 62% of Clay County residents approve of Harper’s handling of the protest incident and his statement, with many citing frustration over ongoing civil unrest across the country.
Comparison to Past Statements
This is not the first time law enforcement officials in Florida have made controversial remarks. In 2020, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told potential looters, “If you break into people’s homes, we will shoot you.” Such comments were defended by DeSantis at the time as “refreshing honesty.”
Legal and Civil Rights Concerns
Legal analysts argue that while officers are allowed to use deadly force under specific, legally defined circumstances, preemptively threatening the use of such force — especially against vaguely defined “leftist rioters” — could open the door to lawsuits and constitutional challenges.
“Law enforcement officials must not blur the line between public safety and political performance,” said Professor Shirin Sinnar of Stanford Law School. “Threats of lethal force as a deterrent undermine First Amendment protections.”
The Department of Justice has not announced any investigation as of this report, but advocacy organizations are filing formal complaints with the Civil Rights Division.
Conclusion
Sheriff Harper’s warning has become another flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle over protest, policing, and political identity. Whether seen as a necessary defense of public order or a dangerous overreach of authority, his words have captured the volatility of the current moment.
As federal and state governments continue to crack down on demonstrations under new Trump-era legislation, the line between law enforcement and political messaging appears increasingly blurred — and the stakes higher than ever.