GMU PhD Student’s Call to Kill Trump Sparks Free Speech Debate

On April 16, 2025, Nicholas Decker, a PhD student at George Mason University (GMU), published a Substack essay titled “When Must We Kill Them?,” which calls for violence against President Donald Trump and his administration. Decker, who identifies as a liberal and open-borders advocate in his X bio, bases much of his argument on Trump’s immigration policies, which he views as barbaric. Unsurprisingly, the essay has ignited a heated debate about his free speech rights.

Decker’s essay argues that the current administration’s actions—such as imprisonments, visa revocations, threats to media, and disregard for judicial orders—constitute a “total abdication of rule of law” and threaten American democracy.

He writes, “If the present administration chooses this course, then the questions of the day can be settled not with legislation, but with blood and iron. In short, we must decide when we must kill them.” 

While Decker frames violence as a “last resort” to defend the Constitution, he suggests it may be necessary if the administration cancels elections, suppresses speech, or ignores Congress and courts. But he emphasizes coordinated resistance, including protests and non-cooperation with federal authorities.

His call to assassinate the President and his allies has, predictably, ignited fierce debate.

On Substack, one commenter slammed Decker’s post as a “left-wing manifesto” urging the assassination of election winners, while another defended him, insisting, “He’s not calling for violence just because we lost an election.” 

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Whatever his motive—sore loser or otherwise—Decker explicitly called for violence. He doubled down on X: “Political power’s ultimate source is violence. If this administration persists, war is inevitable. I say this with sorrow—when must we kill them?”

The ultimate source of political power is, and always will be, violence. If the present administration should continue on its course, there is no choice but war. I say this out of sorrow — when must we kill them? pic.twitter.com/8GHdl23aRO

— Nicholas Decker 🏳️‍🌈🌐🇺🇦 (@captgouda24) April 17, 2025

One day after the essay’s release, GMU announced on X that it was aware of the essay and had referred it to state and federal law enforcement for evaluation of potential criminal behavior.

George Mason University is aware of a recent essay published online by one of its students that has created concern.

Upon learning of the essay, Mason Police referred the matter to state and federal law enforcement for evaluation of criminal behavior. 1/2

— George Mason University (@GeorgeMasonU) April 18, 2025

But GMU’s decision to report the student has sparked criticism from those who are seemingly free speech absolutists.

One X user wrote, “@TheFIREorg, are you aware of this? Referring a student to law enforcement for writing an essay is outrageous.” I could not find whether the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) commented on this issue, but the organization has supported colleges and universities’ resistance to the Trump administration.

@TheFIREorg are you aware of this? Referring a student to law enforcement for writing an essay is outrageous.

— Alus Restor (@gigameth) April 18, 2025

Allegedly surprised about the attention he has received, Decker added an editor’s note on April 18, walking back his statements: “Violence is a last resort, not a first resort. It must come after the exhaustion of all possible remedy … It is to be employed only in defense of our Constitution, and of democracy.”

Keep up with this story on X.

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Cover by Jared Gould using a screenshot of Decker’s tweet and an image of GMU on Wikimedia