U.S. Marine Corps Criticizes Former Marine for Troubling Statements

The U.S. Marine Corps has publicly condemned Florida congressional candidate William Upham after he posted a social media video suggesting that President Donald Trump “must be killed.” This statement quickly achieved widespread criticism, leading the Corps to issue a direct public response dissociating from the actions of the discharged Marine. Upham was medically discharged from the Corps on May 30, 2025, and his comments are deemed contrary to the values expected of Marines.

In a statement on platform X, the Corps acknowledged it was “aware of the disturbing statements made by William Upham.” The response emphasized that Upham’s comments are “a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold and do not align with the service’s values.” Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao also shared sentiments on X, stating, “Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos.” Newsweek sought comments from the White House and Marine Corps via email on Tuesday night.

Key Statements

In his extensive video on X, Upham appeared in military attire and declared his election candidacy to dismantle the insider system in Washington and repair the nation’s “broken political system.” He claimed, “I’ve reached a turning point in my campaign,” prompted by the belief that the nation is fractured and led by a president detrimental to divine interests. Upham argued President Trump fails to unite citizens in the manner “God intended.” He criticized both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting that “violence should never be used for evil purposes such as vengeance or plunder” while advocating for self-defense against all enemies.

Further, Upham expressed certainty, asserting President Trump is the anti-Christ, a false Messiah, and “he must be killed.” Upham’s views stem from Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV and Trump’s display in an AI-generated image resembling Jesus. “He is nothing like Jesus Christ,” Upham remarked, concluding with the belief that God will overcome wickedness.

Political Landscape

Upham is registered as a qualified write-in candidate with Florida’s Division of Elections. According to the state’s candidate tracking system, he qualified on June 9 for representing District 5 in the U.S. House. This district is presently represented by Republican John Rutherford, covering parts of Northeast Florida including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Augustine.

The incident surfaces amidst ongoing concerns about increasingly intense political discourse in the United States. Officials across major political parties consistently caution that rhetoric implying support or justification for political violence fosters a perilous atmosphere. Public threats or advocacy of violence against elected figures, particularly aimed at the president, usually attract scrutiny from federal authorities.

Notably, Trump survived an assassination attempt during his 2024 campaign at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and endured shots directed at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year. Additionally, assassinations of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman transpired last year.

Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.