Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has sparked controversy by suggesting that if he defeats incumbent Susan Collins in the midterm elections but Democrats fail to secure a Senate majority, he will find himself under arrest.
Platner's Arrest Prediction
At a town hall event on Saturday, Platner, 41, said that as a minority Democratic senator, he would join protests and picket lines, expecting to be handcuffed. 'If we don't get the majority and things continue to get worse, I will promise you that I'm going to be arrested as a United States senator,' he stated.
Platner wore a sweater bearing the word 'neat,' a term used by anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters. He has campaigned on a progressive platform including LGBTQ rights, Medicare for All, and ending foreign wars.
Democrats Win Scenario
Should Democrats regain control of the Senate, Platner vowed to subpoena the entire Trump administration to testify before Congress. 'We haul everyone in the White House under subpoena, day in, day out, in front of Senate committees to answer questions about all the lawbreaking they've been doing,' he said. He also expressed support for impeaching two Republican Supreme Court justices.
Past Controversies
Platner has faced backlash for a Nazi-linked 'Totenkopf' tattoo on his chest, which he got while drunk in 2007 as a Marine. He claims he was unaware of its meaning and has since covered it with a Celtic knot design featuring dogs. He also apologized for past Reddit comments questioning why 'black people don't tip' and suggesting women in the Army should monitor their alcohol consumption to avoid rape.
Despite these controversies, Platner became the presumptive Democratic nominee after Governor Janet Mills withdrew from the race. He has drawn large crowds to his town halls, positioning himself as a progressive alternative to corporate greed. However, Republican strategists see his baggage as a vulnerability in the general election.
