Representing Spokane Valley in the Washington state house, notorious religious extremist and far-right US lawmaker Matt Shea — a former US soldier — entered into chats with several other right-wingers using screen aliases. By cross-referencing Signal app phone numbers with screen names, the identities of the right-wing account holders were revealed, according to the Guardian.
In the process of suggesting that left-wing protesters in the US could be considered ‘terrorists', Shea and his friends suggested various methods of intimidation and outright violence, including to "confront their parents their workplaces their landlords" and "hit them in there [sic] safe spaces," cited by the Guardian.
"If we can catch a few of them alone and work him over a little bit," offered one of the chat room members, referring to an unnamed political opponent.
"Then shave her bald with a K-Bar USMC field knife," Robertson wrote, referring to a weapon issued to all US Marines.
Things got pointedly sexual as the comments took a turn for the gruesome regarding parts of the female anatomy.
"Would make good attachment points for hoisting communists up flag poles," a commenter wrote, adding, "Especially the ones with nipple rings," cited by The Guardian.
Not content with one revealingly misogynistic observation, Robertson suggested that "if you cinch up zip ties enough, you don't even NEED nipple rings for hoisting."
Shea's plan for those who refused his Christian fundamentalist views of civilization was: "If they do not yield, kill all males."
When questioned about the recent chat room remarks, Shea responded: "A lot of people in private conversations say things tongue in cheek about what they would like to see happen […] but that is not setting a policy or establishing a protocol," cited by The Guardian.
Local law enforcement in Shea's home town, however, are not amused by the violent beliefs of the lawmaker and his supporters.
Spokane county Republican sheriff, Ozzie Knezovich, a noted conservative, strongly criticized the extremist's far-right ties.
"Matt Shea is a poor representative for the Republican party. Extremism on both sides is tearing this country apart," Knezovich noted, cited by The Guardian.
Knezovich offered a one-word reply to questions regarding whether Shea's extremist cabal was dangerous to the local community and the nation.
"Yes," the law enforcement official said.