A former Mississippi political candidate is facing criminal charges after a bedazzled statue of Baphomet, a figure associated with the Satanic Temple, was discovered decapitated at the Iowa State Capitol.

Michael Cassidy, 35, a former U.S. Navy pilot, told Fox News that he saw the controversy surrounding the display, which was heavily criticized by Republican politicians like Ron DeSantis, and drove to the Iowa Capitol to see it for himself. He said it hit a “nerve” and went on to destroy it.

According to an archived version of his campaign website, Cassidy pushed for a 10-year prison sentence for anyone who destroys a statue in his own state.

  • frunch@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    48
    ·
    1 year ago

    I’m completely unsurprised that this was a political stunt. If Trump taught these assholes anything, it’s that the free press (and in turn, the crowd funding/find raising) they get from their virtue signaling demonstrations like this one will help them weather any punishments they may face–if they really face any at all

    • yOya@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      18
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yep, he failed to build a political career the old fashioned way so he found a controversy right wingers were freaking out about and inserted himself into the equation. Now he gets to grift and probably build a right wing media career of some type. It’s sad that it works, but it does work on republicans. Tell them what they want to hear and they’ll love you forever.