Texas Railroad Commission Candidate Criticized for Calling for Public Executions on Social Media
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Bo French, politikus Partai Republik yang mencalonkan diri memimpin Komisi Perkeretaapian Texas, terbukti pernah menyerukan eksekusi publik terhadap lawan politiknya dalam unggahan media sosial lama.
- Investigasi CNN menemukan French juga membuat pernyataan kontroversial tentang Islam, perempuan tanpa anak, dan survei yang mempertanyakan ancaman Yahudi versus Muslim.
- Skandal ini memicu perpecahan di internal Partai Republik Texas, dengan Senator John Cornyn menolak mendukung pencalonannya.
Bo French, a Texas Republican politician running for commissioner on the Texas Railroad Commission, is facing sharp scrutiny after a CNN investigation revealed a history of social media posts calling for public executions of Democratic figures. The findings emerged amid recent controversy over racially charged posts, which prompted some of his fellow Republicans to withdraw their support.
According to a report by CNN's KFile team, French has in recent years used his social media accounts to call for the death penalty for former President Barack Obama and other Obama-era officials, as well as Senator Adam Schiff. In May 2020, through the now-suspended account @rwbofrench, he wrote a call for Donald Trump to hang officials deemed involved in the "Russia hoax." "The death penalty for the Obama conspirators is the only way to clean the swamp," he wrote in a post cited by CNN. Minutes later, he added, "The punishment for treason used to be death. Even for former presidents. #HangEmHigh."
In February 2025, French again called for public executions through his account under the old username @Bo_French_TX. In a since-deleted post, he wrote, "I want more than a perp walk. I want a public execution." He also specifically named Schiff, who led the House committee that released a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. It is unclear whether the posts were deleted by French himself or by his team.
Beyond the calls for executions, French is also known for frequently making other controversial statements. Over the past year, he called for banning Islam entirely, described childless women as "selfish" and "responsible for the decline of our culture," and created a poll asking whether "Jews" or "Muslims" pose a greater threat. These posts sparked public outrage and criticism from within his own party.
This controversy is not the first for French. He previously drew condemnation from his party after his racial posts surfaced. Senator John Cornyn, one of the most influential Republicans in Texas, publicly stated he would not offer his support. "I can't support someone who holds those views," Cornyn said in a separate statement, as quoted by local media. Cornyn's stance reflects concerns that the scandal could damage the party's electability in the upcoming election.
The Texas Railroad Commission, despite its name suggesting a focus on trains, is in fact the primary regulatory body for the state's oil and gas industry. Texas is the largest oil producer in the US, and the commission holds broad authority over permitting, rates, and environmental policy. The commission's leadership heavily shapes energy policy direction, affecting fuel prices and the investment climate. If French is elected, he would have significant influence over an industry that accounts for about 30% of national crude oil production.
"I want more than a perp walk. I want a public execution." โ Bo French, in a since-deleted February 2025 post.
For Indonesia, this case serves as a mirror of how extreme rhetoric on social media can spill into mainstream politics. Amid rising political polarization, it is important for voters to assess the digital track record of candidates for leadership. A similar phenomenon has occurred in Indonesia, where a number of politicians have been tripped up by old controversial posts. This underscores that digital literacy and communication ethics in the public sphere are becoming increasingly crucial, especially for those running for public office.
Looking ahead, the big question is whether the Texas Republican Party will continue to make room for candidates with a history of hate speech, or instead withdraw support collectively. French has not issued an official comment on CNN's report. However, pressure from within the party and the public is expected to increase ahead of the election. Without an apology or clarification, French's political career could end before it beginsโwhile also serving as a lesson to other candidates that a digital footprint never truly disappears.
