Understanding How Reactive Abuse Is Weaponized In Idaho Politics

Extremists on either side of the political divide will do whatever it takes to destroy those who stand up for truth

In North Idaho, at a recent KCRCC legislative town hall, a woman’s attempt to speak out unraveled into a meticulously orchestrated spectacle of suppression—a vivid illustration of reactive abuse in action. She made pointed remarks, alleging that “Phil Hart stole from public land” and expressing disbelief over bill proposals from Rep. Wisniewski because he believes that scientists are cross-breeding animal and human genes. Her disruptive outbursts were met with derision: KCRCC supporters roared, “Kick her out!” while Ed Bajarana, the town hall MC, sneered that she was “the little girl who wants attention.” When the woman dared question the event's integrity, the retort was immediate and vicious—“You are not smart enough to know that; you are just crazy people!”

But the true cruelty lay in the calculated response that followed. Robert Norris, the Kootenai County constitutional sheriff backed by KCRCC leadership, demanded she leave or face arrest. Private security men in unmarked black jackets were summoned—a deliberate tactic to provoke and punish. Even as she pleaded to see their badges, her legitimate concerns were dismissed as far-right loyalists cheered her removal. This wasn’t a spontaneous breakdown; it appeared to be a premeditated act of reactive abuse. The far-right has mastered a cruel inversion: any natural, even defensive, reaction is twisted into evidence of aggression, turning a moment of reacting to abusive behavior into a mark of guilt. Had these been uniformed law enforcement officers, the situation would have been de-escalated quickly, instead KCRCC ensured the outcome would inflict maximum trauma in front of the cameras.

This double standard has deep roots. In August 2020, when Ammon Bundy refused to leave and was arrested for his disruptive actions at the statehouse, others who shoved police and smashed glass doors escaped with barely a reprimand. Idaho’s far-right directed their anger toward police for doing their jobs. The same aggressive tactics are celebrated when deployed by insiders at numerous GOP gatherings—from heated reorganization meetings in East Idaho to the infamous Summer GOP event where IFF and Dorothy Moon supporters were highly disruptive, yelling insults, booing, and engaging in the exact same behavior as the woman at the KCRCC town hall. But if someone, driven by years of relentless provocation, ever dares to respond in kind—even if only momentarily—the reaction is swift and brutal. The far right doesn’t just wait for a misstep; they actively engineer situations to provoke that very response, ensuring that anyone who challenges their narrative becomes easy prey for their hypocritical attacks.

Perhaps the most chilling testament to this mentality came from Idaho Freedom Foundation policy analyst Parrish Miller. When a “playground protest mom” who staged an anti-Covid lockdown protest later demanded to be arrested, Miller declared, “shooting someone who is attempting to kidnap you is always justified,” adding, “there is nothing wrong with hunting down active kidnappers to bring them to justice.” His words leave no room for nuance. Miller works for Brent Regan’s IFF, which might explain his hypocritical silence on this issue. If one of their own was being dragged out by private security contractors, Miller and his friends would have likely said this is precisely the kind of tyranny that justifies our 2nd Amendment right!

The playbook is disturbingly clear. When those within their ranks use aggressive tactics, they are rewarded and platformed. Yet if anyone dares mirror even a hint of that behavior—a slip in response to years of torment—they are immediately branded as the aggressor.

I know this all too well. As a Republican who has consistently called out the hypocrisy within my party, I’ve faced bogus lawsuits, slanderous videos, and even a stalking injunction against those who mean harm towards my family. Every time I’ve exposed their hypocrisy, the far right has attempted to provoke a reaction, waiting to seize on any moment of weakness as “reactive abuse,” using it as ammunition to discredit and further silence me. After dealing with thousands of attempted triggering mean tweets, articles, and schemes, I’m still standing, well aware of their devious playbook.

Even if a person’s reaction is merely the inevitable outcome of years of harassment—a natural, if imperfect, human response—it is instantly repurposed as evidence of their supposed aggression. The far-right wields reactive abuse like a weapon, twisting survival into sin, and in doing so, they further isolate and attack those who their unchecked power has long tormented.

The worst part about this is it works. How many times have you noticed a ‘good old Republican’ say, “Don’t poke the bear” or “Just ignore them, they will go away eventually,” only later to say, "Well, you got what you deserved.” Those words still echo after learning so many turned a blind eye as I faced years of abuse from this same group when I stood up when others were too afraid to do so.

Wether you are a Republican calling out tyrannical abuse on the right or a Democrat calling attention to hateful anti-Semitic behavior on the left, the attacks on truth-tellers is inevitable from abusive people. Meanwhile others sit on the sidelines to avoid contention, something the extremists count on as part of their confrontational playbook.

This isn’t merely a series of isolated incidents; it’s a systemic pattern designed to silence dissent. Our political discourse should be a space where ideas are debated on their merits, not a battleground where every instinctive reaction is weaponized against you. It’s time we reject this manipulative narrative—stop enabling abusive behavior by excusing it when it comes from the extreme right or the left, and condemn it without reservation when it targets those brave enough to speak up.

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About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong conservative Republican. His articles often criticize the hypocrisy committed by far-right grifters who’ve taken control of the GOP. Graf is the CEO of Snake River Strategies, a communications and political consulting firm based in Eagle, Idaho. He and his family moved to Idaho Falls from Utah in 2013 and reside in Star.

Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in exercising their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.

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