In Jefferson, MO., University-City’s representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal thought Donald Trump was responsible and consequently “hoped” for his assassination via Facebook. Chappelle-Nadal has been a representative in the MO. House and Senate for 13 years, and is an outspoken critic of the Trump Administration. This comment was in the wake of the violence between white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville, SC.

According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Chappelle-Nadal deleted the Facebook comment “in response to concerns [she] had heard from St. Louis residents.” She also pivoted away from her comment saying “there are bigger issues we should be talking about.”

The comment posted to Facebook on Aug.17, sparked outcry from Missouri Democrats, many quick to condemn the comments. In the public statement released on Twitter late Aug. 17 Gina Walsh, MSDC head, condemned Chappelle-Nadal’s comments.

“Promoting, supporting, or suggesting violence against anyone, especially our elected leaders, is never acceptable,” Walsh said in her Twitter statement. “There is too much rancor and hate in today’s political environment, Sen. Chappelle-Nadal should be ashamed of herself for adding her voice to this toxic environment. Sen. Chappelle-Nadal’s behavior has no place in the caucus, the Capital, or the Democratic party.”  

Not only condemnation, but wide calls for Chappelle-Nadal’s resignation swept across the Missouri Senate from both Republicans and Democrats alike. Missouri’s Republican Gov., Eric Greitens, issued a statement on Twitter on, requesting for the Senate to remove her from the government.

“[Chappelle-Nadal’s] response [to her remarks] was ‘Hell no’ when asked to apologize,” Greitens said in his Twitter statement. “If she will not resign, the Senate can vote to remove her. I believe they should.”

However, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch advocates for Chappelle-Nadal’s removal from the Senate may not have the necessary votes to proceed with removal. The Senate would need 23 votes to remove Chappelle-Nadal from her position, but a report from the Kansas City Star disclosed that Sen. Bob Dixon, a Republican from Springfield, and other key senators have been hesitant to vote for removal. Chappelle-Nadal would need all Democrats to vote against a removal, in combination with two Republicans, and to keep her seat until her term expires in 2019.