A Pennsylvania man has been caught and charged by the Verona Police Department for targeting Trump supporters with offensive flyers. According to reports, 71-year-old Philip Heffler has been throwing flyers with hateful messages and swastikas into yards of residents who display their support for the Republican nominee.
These flyers, which read “Nazi’s 4 Trump” and “Make America 1930s Germany again,” equate Trump to Nazi Germany and have caused outrage among residents.
One resident, Tracy Smith, recounts finding these flyers in her yard and being shocked by the comparison between Trump and Hitler. She expressed her disbelief, stating, “It’s ridiculous to compare the two. I think it’s a slap in the face to Jewish people to compare Trump to Hitler.”
The Verona Police Department received multiple complaints from residents who found the offensive flyers in their yards, with at least two of them having pro-Trump signage.
Detectives were initially unable to identify the suspect on video footage alone, but a break in the case came when a woman in Penn Hills reported finding a flyer in a Giant Eagles fried chicken bag. Investigators examined the store’s security footage and identified Heffler as the suspect, tying him to the incidents in Verona.
When confronted by police, Heffler admitted to throwing the flyers and went on a “tirade” about Trump. He did not believe he would be caught and even apologized when he realized he was wrong. It is clear that Heffler’s actions were not just a simple act of protest, but rather a malicious and targeted attack on Trump supporters.
It is concerning to see the level of hatred and violence directed towards supporters of the Republican nominee. It is even more alarming that this kind of rhetoric and behavior is being promoted and encouraged by some in the Democratic Party. On CNN, Democratic strategist Aisha Mills went as far as to accuse Trump of showing admiration for Nazis and Hitler. George Conway also compared Trump to Hitler on MSNBC, further fueling this dangerous narrative.
Trump has faced two assassination attempts in the span of just a few months, and it is clear that the hateful rhetoric being spewed by some is only escalating the situation. It is time for Democrats and those in the media to take responsibility for their words and actions and stop equating Trump to Hitler and Nazis.
As residents in Verona have pointed out, instead of resorting to violence and hate, it would be more effective to engage in civil conversations and discuss ideas, rather than throwing offensive flyers into people’s yards.