Senate GOP Must Reject Calls for Violence on Immigrants

A Republican Senate candidate just crossed a dangerous line — and Senate Republicans must speak out now. Jake Lang, a far-right activist, January 6 defendant, and recent Trump pardon recipient, said the Proud Boys “should be deputized” to “hunt” undocumented immigrants along the southern border. This isn’t campaign bluster — it’s an incitement to vigilante violence that echoes some of the darkest chapters in American history.

While Donald Trump and GOP leaders have inflamed anti-immigrant hatred for years, these latest remarks take things even further. Lang made his comments during a campaign event, suggesting that extremist groups like the Proud Boys — known for violent attacks — should be empowered to enforce immigration policy. Lang doubled down afterward, calling himself “a patriot defending America.”

This is not patriotism. It’s a call to terrorize families and dehumanize immigrants seeking safety and opportunity. If Senate Republicans stay silent, they send a message that violence and hate are acceptable tools of politics. 

The Senate GOP must immediately and publicly denounce Jake Lang’s comments and make clear that anyone advocating violence against immigrants has no place in public office. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and all other Senate Republicans have a moral and civic duty to draw a line — before words like these lead to bloodshed.

We must act now. Tell Senate Republicans: condemn this rhetoric, reject hate, and affirm that America will never tolerate political violence — against immigrants or anyone else.