"We Will Kill You": Florida Sheriff’s Shocking Threat Casts Shadow Over Nationwide Anti-Trump Protests
- Natalie Frank
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
Communities prepare to rally against ICE raids and rising authoritarianism as a Florida lawman’s violent rhetoric sparks national outrage
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 13, 2025
BREVARD COUNTY, FL - As the country prepares for numerous anti-Trump protests this weekend, a Florida sheriff’s inflammatory remarks have set off a storm of criticism, adding tension to what was already a volatile political situation.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s words could not be misinterpreted. “If you throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, because we will kill you graveyard dead,” he said in a recorded statement ahead of what could become one of the largest nationwide protest events in recent years.
More than 1,800 demonstrations are expected to explode across the country under the banner of “No Kings Day,” a coordinated show of resistance to ongoing ICE raids. Many see these efforts as growing authoritarianism, and the Trump administration’s intent. The protests coincide with the president’s 79th birthday and a lavish $45 million military parade funded by taxpayers.
In cities like New York, Seattle, Chicago, Madison, and Austin, activists are already mobilizing. In San Antonio, organizer J.C. Casteneta discussed the urgency of the moment: “They’re bringing up the troops. They’re bringing up ICE. People are scared. But they’re the ones that should be scared, because us, as a community, we can make a difference.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed he’s deployed more than 5,000 National Guard troops across the state. Critics argue this military-style presence is intended to intimidate rather than protect, especially when paired with violent threats from law enforcement.
What stands out most about Ivey’s statement isn’t just the aggression, it’s the timing. With emotions already running high and many Americans expressing deep concern about the militarization of immigration enforcement, the sheriff’s word are like fuel on an already raging fire.
His comments have alarmed civil rights advocates, who warn that such rhetoric has the potential to escalate violence rather than prevent it. While no one is condoning violence at protests, advocates argue that threatening to "kill" protesters outright reveals a deeply disturbing attitude toward dissent and the right to protest.
