Republican Congressional Candidate Sparks Outrage by Calling for Trump’s Death

William Upham, a Republican congressional candidate in Florida’s 5th district and former U.S. Marine officer, ignited controversy after releasing a video in which he stated that President Donald Trump "must be killed." In the nearly seven-minute video, Upham described the United States as engaged in a "spiritual battle" and labeled Trump a "false messiah," insisting on the necessity of his death.

The U.S. Marine Corps strongly condemned Upham’s remarks, clarifying that he was medically discharged in May 2025 and that his statements directly contradict the oath and values of the Corps. The U.S. Secret Service also acknowledged awareness of the comments and confirmed that any statement potentially threatening a protected individual is under investigation, though no further details were disclosed for security reasons.

Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hank Kau, also denounced Upham’s statements, emphasizing that he no longer represents the Marine Corps or its principles. As of the report’s publication, Upham had not responded to media inquiries regarding the incident.