House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) condemned what he called “unhinged rhetoric” after Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) was reportedly run off the road Thursday morning in Washington, D.C., in an incident Miller described as motivated by antisemitism.
“What happened to Max this morning is yet another outrageous example of unhinged rhetoric inspiring unstable people to threaten and attack elected officials who are serving their communities,” Johnson wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We must turn down the temperature in this country.”
Miller, who is Jewish, posted earlier in the day that he and his family were forced off the road in Rocky River, Ohio, by an individual who then displayed a Palestinian flag. Miller labeled the encounter a “blatant antisemitic act of violence.”
“I have filed a police report with Capitol Police and the local police department. We know who this person is and he will face justice,” Miller’s statement read. The incident comes amid rising political tensions and a string of violent events targeting elected officials.
Just over a week ago, a Democratic state lawmaker in Minneapolis and her husband were killed in a targeted shooting, and another lawmaker was wounded in what authorities believe to be a related incident.
The violent attacks have reignited national discussions about the impact of extreme political rhetoric. Critics argue that divisive and inflammatory language is contributing to a dangerous climate where public servants increasingly face threats to their safety.
Following the Minneapolis shooting, former President Donald Trump declined to call Minnesota Governor Tim Walz—who was also his 2020 running mate—claiming it would “waste time.” The decision drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, as did a series of incendiary posts made on X by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Lee later deleted his post after facing backlash, including from fellow lawmakers who warned that such statements could further inflame an already volatile political environment.
The road incident involving Rep. Miller has now been added to a growing list of threats and violent confrontations involving members of Congress. With election season heating up and the conflict in the Middle East adding fuel to domestic tensions, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for a return to civility and measured discourse. Authorities are currently investigating the incident involving Miller, and further details are expected in the coming days.