When Metaphors Sound Like Marching Orders

Yesterday, Washington State Representative Jim Walsh (R-19th District) took to Facebook and compared members of the political left—his own constituents—to cancerous tumors that should be shrunk and removed from the culture.

Yes, really.

In response to a question about America’s political divide, Walsh wrote:

"We need to treat the far-left extremists like a cancerous tumor... spend time shrinking their number and influence... and then remove them from the culture. If necessary."

When asked to clarify—multiple times—what “remove them from the culture” means, Walsh offered only mockery:

“It’s a metaphor. Grow up.”

But that’s not how responsible leaders respond to concern. Because here’s the thing: metaphors don’t happen in a vacuum. Especially not from men in power.

We live in a time when political violence is a real threat in this country. People have been attacked for their beliefs. Elections workers have been harassed and driven from their homes. The Capitol was stormed. And yet, a sitting state legislator is casually comparing his neighbors—fellow Americans—to tumors. Not policies. Not ideas. People.

What Walsh said is not clever. It’s not rhetorical flair. It’s dangerous. Dehumanizing language like this has historically been used to justify unspeakable acts. That’s not exaggeration—it’s history.

And it doesn’t matter whether he meant it “literally.” When a public official suggests that certain people are a disease to be eliminated from the culture, the implication hangs in the air for anyone looking for permission to act on it.

At a time when we should be building bridges and leading with empathy, Walsh is laughing in the comments and doubling down.

Let’s be clear: this is not leadership. This is reckless.

We deserve better.

If Rep. Walsh truly believes in civil discourse and nonviolent solutions—as he so often claims—he should take accountability for his words, clarify his intent without mockery, and commit to respecting the humanity of all his constituents, regardless of political affiliation.

Until then, let the record show: Jim Walsh wants to “remove” us. We heard him. And we will remember it at the polls.