OPINION: Did SJC Democratic Chair Dr. Westerhausen’s Press Conference Encourage Violence Against President Donald Trump?
- Logan Foster
- May 27
- 4 min read
Updated: May 29
Title: OPINION: Did SJC Democratic Chair Dr. Westerhausen’s Press Conference Encourage Violence Against President Donald Trump?
Author: Logan Foster
Date: 05/27/25
For years, the Democratic Party has attempted to position itself as a moral compass on social and political issues, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and personal freedoms. But recent controversies have raised questions about how deeply the Democratic Party is committed to these principles. A case in point is the St. Joseph County Democratic Party, led by Dr. Don Westerhausen. The SJCDP's actions, or lack thereof, have become a focal point for growing concerns among the public.
The "86 47" Controversy
On May 24, 2025, Dr. Westerhausen, Chair of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party and a three-time failed candidate, held a press conference to challenge President Donald Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill." However, the event drew criticism not for its content, but for a striking visual beside which Dr. Westerhausen stood for 18 minutes. A sign reading “86 47 FDT” was prominently displayed.
For context, “86 47” has been widely shared as a coded call to assassinate the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The phrase gained national attention just a week earlier when former FBI Director James Comey came under FBI investigation for a similar Instagram post. Despite the phrase’s controversial implications, Dr. Westerhausen proceeded with the event unimpeded. His indifference raises serious questions about accountability, ethics, and decision making within the local Democratic Party.
SJC Dems Historically Downplaying Violence Against Republicans
This incident is especially alarming given the escalating number of assassination attempts on President Trump. On July 13, 2024, President Trump was shot in an attempt on his life. Two months later, on September 13, 2024, the Secret Service thwarted another assassination attempt. Public officials, including Dr. Westerhausen, should be acutely aware of these threats. Yet, Dr. Westerhausen's press conference seemed dismissive of the dangerous rhetoric that could incite violence against President Trump.
St. Joseph County Republican Party Chairwoman Jackie Horvath responded to the controversy, stating: "Violence has no place in our society, and I strongly condemn any threats or harm against President Trump. We must uphold civil discourse, respect the rule of law, and reject intimidation in all forms."
Adding further controversy is the reaction of local Democratic officials. When speaking with Redress South Bend, elected democratic officials in St. Joseph County have questioned whether the July 2024 assassination attempt actually occurred, with some even alleging it was staged by President Trump himself, suggesting that President Trump hired a gunman to shoot himself in his own ear. These are not commentators or anonymous pundits but elected officials responsible for decisions affecting the entire community.
The Biden Double Standard
The Democratic Party (as well as the legacy news media) vehemently defended Former President Joe Biden from critiques of his fitness for office, now the SJC Democratic Party faces a serious credibility problem. On May 20th, 2025, CNN’s Jake Tapper published "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again", a book revealing the cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline during his campaign for re-election.
Dr. Westerhausen’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
Dr. Westerhausen’s leadership of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party hasn’t just been marred by his handling of larger controversies but also by his approach to internal scandals. When faced with allegations of election fraud tied to South Bend Councilwoman Sharon McBride, Dr. Westerhausen reportedly dismissed the matter. “Because it was just f******* Logan,” he told Redress South Bend's Logan Foster, explaining why he and other democrats are dismissing the allegations and will dismiss the ensuing Civil Lawsuit and Indiana State Police investigation.
Sources close to Dr. Westerhausen have shared with Redress South Bend that Dr. Westerhausen will only address scandals within his party if he is “forced to act” through substantial public pressure. This raises serious questions about whether Dr. Westerhausen prioritizes public service over political expediency.
Leadership isn’t just about talking; it means taking action, being accountable, and standing up for democratic values—even when it’s not the easy thing to do.
Was Dr. Westerhausen elected to lead by example or merely to preserve the status quo?
Should Westerhausen not enforce or request compliance with state and local laws among his colleagues?
Or does Westerhausen see himself as a jester for the court of public opinion, driven by theatrics rather than governance?
These questions deserve immediate answers, as the stakes are far too high for political gamesmanship. Public leaders, (especially leaders of the so called Democratic Party) must operate in good faith and ensure that their actions reflect both their words and the values they so frequently espouse.
Holding Leaders Accountable
Dr. Westerhausen did more than stand next to a sign calling for violence against our 47th President. As party Chair, Westerhausen is the face of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party, he is a figure of our community, and for 18 minutes (and how ever many minutes it is re-watched or replayed online) Westerhausen appeared to condoned violence and hate, which also appears to be the Democratic Party's standing principle's under his leadership.
