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Texas GOP official blasted for saying Mitt Romney be introduced to 'Mr Guillotine': 'He should be arrested'

Terry Harper, who hails from Texas, later clarified that he did not want any harm to befall Romney but only wanted him to be voted out due to his criticism of POTUS

A GOP official is facing a lot of backlash for suggesting that Mitt Romney be "introduced to Mr. Guillotine". The official, Terry Harper, who hails from Texas, had made the remark on January 2 but later attempted to clarify saying that he did not want any harm to befall Romney but only wanted him to be voted out. The reason Harper wanted him voted out was due to Romney's criticism of POTUS Donald Trump and his supporters. 

Harper's initial post had been a response to Romney's criticism of Republican lawmakers such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz who are saying that they will try and deny that President-elect Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Romney had said that the group of 12 lawmakers who plan to challenge the results of the election will "dangerously threaten our Democratic Republic". Romney had released a statement last week and noted that "the congressional power to reject electors is reserved for the most extreme and unusual circumstances. These are far from it."

"More Americans participated in this election than ever before, and they made their choice," the statement added. The statement also questions the integrity of lawmakers planning to question the election results. "My fellow Senator Ted Cruz and the co-signers of his statement argue that rejection of electors or an election audit directed by Congress would restore trust in the election. Nonsense," Romney said. 

Harper shared Romney's statement on Facebook and said, "Romney should be introduced to our friend Mr Guillotine," in reference to a device that was invented in France to carry out executions by beheading. As Harper's comments went viral, he attempted to clarify that he did not actually want Romney to be beheaded. As per the Dallas Morning News, he said, "Hence the reference to Mr. Guillotine and the separation of the Head (Romney) and the Body (Utah Voters) is simple."

"Never did I suggest or wish harm to the Senator. I do apologize to those who failed to understand my post as I did not make it clear to those who make assumptions based on their personal agenda," he added. 

Harper's post seems to be removed from his Facebook handle where he said Romney should be introduced to the Guillotine. He also shared that he believes the consequences of Romney's statements will be reflected "at the ballot box" before throwing his support behind the lawmakers who are choosing to oppose and challenge the election results. 

We had earlier reported that Trump was heard on an hour-long call with the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to "find" enough votes to overturn his defeat on Saturday, January 2. Trump was heard pressuring Raffensperger and other officials to look for enough votes in the state's presidential election so that he can be declared the winner, according to a shocking audio clip that was obtained by CBS News. During the call, Trump told Raffensperger, "All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state."

Trump lost the 2020 elections to President-elect Joe Biden by 11,799 votes in Georgia. Ever since the November election, ballots cast in the state have been counted three times with Biden's win being confirmed all three times. 

Many social media users took to commenting on Harper's comments across Twitter. One such user shared, "@TerryHarper @TXLege @TXGOP Harper should be arrested and charged with making terroristic threats. His remarks that Mitt Romney “needs to meet the “Republican’s friend, Mr.Guillotine” is advocating violence and bodily harm. This SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. it’s a reprehensible remark."

Another user added, "A Texas Republican Party official insisted Sunday he had been misunderstood after posting on Facebook Saturday that he wanted Utah Sen. Mitt Romney “introduced to our friend Mr. Guillotine.” This has gone too far. ALL THREATS need to be investigated." One more said, "@TXGOP @txlege @FBI #TerryHarper TX State Republican Executive Committee member should be investigated and charged with making death threats and advocating violence for his remarks suggesting that Mitt Romney needs to be introduced to their Republican “friend” Mr. Guillotine!"