A San Francisco landlord is at the centre of a major political firestorm, accused of orchestrating the eviction of tenants solely based on their support for Donald Trump and the State of Israel.
The controversial figure, identified as property manager Garik Khazarian, allegedly sent a series of inflammatory text messages to tenants Brian and Anastasia Hodge. The messages, which have been widely circulated, show Khazarian making disparaging remarks about their "MAGA friends" and their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Incendiary Texts
The dispute appears to have escalated from a simple maintenance issue into a full-blown political confrontation. After the tenants requested a repair for their oven, Khazarian's response was anything but professional.
Key excerpts from the messages include:
- A direct attack on the tenants' political circle: "You have MAGA friends... you support a fascist."
- A demand regarding their views on foreign policy: "Do you support Israel's right to exist? Yes or no?"
- A stark ultimatum linking their lease to their political beliefs: "If you don't support Israel's right to exist, then I don't support your right to exist in my apartment."
Legal Repercussions and Tenant Response
Following the exchange, the Hodges received a formal 60-day "no-fault" eviction notice, a move they believe is a direct retaliation for their political views. This type of eviction is legal in San Francisco but is intended for purposes like moving in a relative or taking the unit off the rental market, not for penalising political affiliation.
The couple has now sought legal counsel, with their attorney alleging a clear violation of both San Francisco's robust tenant protections and potentially the tenants' constitutional rights to free speech and political expression.
A City Under Scrutiny
This incident casts a harsh light on the intense political polarization within San Francisco. While the city is known for its predominantly liberal ethos, this case presents an inverse scenario where conservative voices claim they are being silenced and punished.
Housing advocates have seized on the case, arguing it demonstrates the vulnerability of tenants and the potential for abuse of eviction laws, regardless of the landlord's or tenant's political leanings.
The story continues to develop as legal proceedings begin and the public outcry grows, posing difficult questions about the intersection of politics, personal belief, and the right to housing.
