The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) told Newsweek in a statement on Saturday that it’s aware of comments on social media that were made by a Maine high school teacher who called on the agency to “take out every single person who supports Trump’s illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts.”
In its email to Newsweek, a spokesperson for the USSS added that it would not comment any further on the situation.
Why It Matters
Since taking office on January 20 for his second term, President Donald Trump has enacted a slew of broad reforms through executive actions. Some Democrats and Trump critics have warned of a looming “constitutional crisis,” accusing the president of overstepping presidential authority and disregarding legal constraints.
Schools, meanwhile, have been at the forefront of Trump’s policies, which include dismantling the Department of Education (ED), and denying funding to schools in states that allow trans children to participate in sports.
The state of Maine has been embroiled in a legal spat with the Trump administration regarding its executive order banning trans athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports being tied to national funding.
What To Know
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, JoAnna St. Germain, a Waterville Senior High School English teacher, called for the USSS to “take out every single person who supports Trump’s illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts.”
The post begins: “The Secret Service has the perfect opportunity, if they choose to step up and take it. You are the ones with power. Coordinate. Take out every single person who supports Trump’s illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts. Look at the sycophants and give them what they’re asking for. Every other country sees what’s happening and they are taking stands.”
It continued: “If you step up, we can avoid a civil war. I’m not talking about assassinating a president. A president is a person duly elected by the American people. Tr*mp has shamelessly bragged openly about stealing the election. He is making plans to give himself a third term. I’m talking about Americans recognizing a fascist dictatorship and standing against it. Secret Service, you are Americans. My beloved military, you are Americans. We, the people, are counting on you. If I had the skill set required, I would take them out myself. I’m making this post public for a reason, I promise you. Don’t waste time wondering if I’m okay. I’m not. If you’re okay, you’re lying to yourself.”
In a series of posts, she continued to lay out her beliefs, comparing Trump to Adolf Hitler.
“I believe Trump and every sycophant he has surrounded himself with (this is not you – if you’re reading this, this doesn’t apply to you. You are beneath his notice and mine) needs to die,” another post from Wednesday reads. “I believe this with the same forceful belief that Hitler and his sycophants needed to die, before they murdered 6 million innocent Jewish persons.”
Since the original post, St. Germain has doubled down, engaging on social media with those who spoke out against her statements.
“I’m not sorry. I’m not backtracking. I said what I said and I meant it,” reads a separate Wednesday post.
She also clarified her statements, writing on Wednesday, “I am so sorry you took that post to mean that all Republicans should die. I have no beef with Republicans. I have no beef with MAGA.”
The post continued: “I meant that those in the room with Trump, who are permitting and approving his egregious actions, need to be held accountable.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Waterville Police Department, Waterville Public Schools and St. Germain for further comment.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told NBC News in March about seeking a third term: “A lot of people want me to do it. But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it’s very early in the administration.”
He added: “But I’m not—it is far too early to think about it…There are methods which you could do it.”
A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson told Newsweek on Saturday: “The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the post made by Ms. St. Germain, and as a matter of practice we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence.”
Stevie Black, a parent of a child in the Waterville public school system, told local station WMTW: “Honestly, it made me uncomfortable because that’s somebody that’s teaching our children.”
Joe Labbe, another parent of a child in the Waterville public school system, told WMTW that he spoke to St. Germain on Facebook Messenger following the posts: “We had a great back and forth. She realizes she no longer belongs in the classroom, and I asked her why, and she said because she takes the news of the day so seriously that she’s not able to put it away. And she’s so deeply disturbed by what she sees the Trump administration doing.”
Tobin Thibeau, a senior at Waterville Senior High School, told WMTW on Friday: “Everyone is generally upset by it. I haven’t seen anyone who agreed with what was said, but she hasn’t been there yesterday or today.”
What Happens Next?
St. Germain is still listed as a teacher on the school’s faculty website.
It is currently unclear whether she will face any ramifications from the school.
The post Teacher Urges Officials to ‘Take Out’ Trump Supporters appeared first on Newsweek.
