South Bend Common Council's Endorsement of Violence Is a Dangerous Precedent

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The South Bend Common Council set an alarming precedent on Monday, October 13th, 2025 when it allowed a parade of public comments defending South Bend Common Councilmember Karen L. White after her disturbing remarks about the sitting president. (We specifically point out "allow", as Councilmembers and Parliamentarian Palmer have a documented history of shutting down public comments even when they are germane to City Business.)

White’s statement: “Okay, and we're gonna put the orange man. I don't know where y'all are gonna put him, but I know where I would like to put him. I don't think jail is good enough.” was more than just ill-advised, it was reckless. Many interpreted White's comments as a call for violence against President Donald J. Trump. Rather than addressing the seriousness of Karen White's public and recorded words, the South Bend Common Council meeting devolved into a show of blind loyalty, completely ignoring the gravity of the issue.

Speaker after speaker, including the President of the local NAACP, stood at the podium not to debate policy, but to lionize Karen White. Trina Robinson called President Trump a "clown," adding, "We have to understand that there is a clown in the White House. And when you have a clown, you expect a circus," and insisted White “did nothing wrong.” Others followed suit, dismissing outrage as an effort from some "pro-Trump people" who want to "drag my sister's character through the mud."

Most unsettling, though, was the response from council leadership itself. South Bend Common Council President Canneth Lee, instead of defending basic standards of public conduct, announced: “We do love Ms. White. She’s an outstanding leader, and we support her.” This was not just support for a colleague, it was open acceptance of rhetoric far beneath the dignity of elected office.

By refusing to repudiate White’s comments and instead cheering her on, the South Bend Common Council made clear they prioritize loyalty over leadership of any kind. This weak-kneed response encourages the toxic idea that, in South Bend, inflammatory rhetoric is tolerated, so long as it comes from a democrat.