Government

Allen West‘s Chief of Staff Steps Down Amidst ’Lockdown’ Controversy

Just one week after securing election victory, Congressman-elect Allen West of Florida dismissed his chief of staff, conservative radio host Joyce Kaufman. According to news reports, Kaufman voluntarily stepped aside Wednesday evening after the controversial host was accused of inciting violence.

According to the Miami Herald, a warning call was phoned into WFTL 850 AM from a woman claiming that her husband was planning to carry out a mass shooting in Broward County, specifically targeting government buildings and schools. In addition, the Pembroke Pines Police Department says the WFTL station received an emailed warning addressed directly to Kaufman.

Ms. Kaufman has previously come under critical fire for a variety of controversial comments. Just this week, Kaufman described Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as “garbage” and has previously spoken out against illegal immigrants. According to The New York Times, she previously claimed at a rally that illegal immigrants “reproduce at a rate about three times that American citizens do. And that’s not bigotry, and that’s just fact.”

But related to this week’s threat against Broward County schools, many are pointing to her divisive rhetoric and accusing her of actually inciting violence.

Kaufman, 56, promotes herself as the “most heavily armed” radio host in South Florida. Earlier this week, a video made the rounds on the internet and on MSNBC which showed Kaufman seemingly advocating tough action against the government. “I am convinced the most important thing the Founding Fathers did to ensure me my First Amendment rights was they gave me a Second Amendment,” she said. “And if ballots don’t work, bullets will.”


As the threat resolved itself Wednesday following a county-wide lockdown that thankfully ended with no one hurt, Kaufman says she called West to notify him she would not be accepting the chief of staff position. “I am confident that he will be an excellent representative and will remain a close friend,” she said in a statement. But as many quickly linked the threat to her and her fiery comments, she looked to deflect the public’s scrutiny away from the congressman-elect. “I am proud of [West's] decisive victory on November 2nd, but I will not be complicit in this effort to diminish his stature by attacks against me or endanger myself and others by serving as his chief of staff.”

On her radio program Thursday, Kaufman confessed to listeners that she agreed to step down because she did not want to be in a position that might negatively reflect on West, a friend she called a “distinguished, monumental man,” the Miami Herald reports.

On Thursday, West acknowledged that Kaufman would be stepping down. “It is with deep regret that this congressional office and the people of [Florida Congressional District 22] will not have Joyce Kaufman as my chief of staff,” West remarked in a statement. “Joyce is a good friend and will remain loyal to South Floridians and to me. I will always seek Joyce’s counsel for being a good representative of this congressional district,” he concluded.

Though some have suggested the email and phone seemingly linking Kaufman to a violent threat were a hoax and the police haven’t yet pinned down the perpetrators, Kaufman says she‘s not taking any chances with protecting West’s reputation.

“I will not be used in an electronic lynching by proxy,” she said.

Comments (76)

1 2
  • Doc_Slammin
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:34am

    Allen West will have to keep a shiny buttox for the next two year because the press will be on him like a hawk.

    MSNBC already tried to toss him a racist bone with Tim Wise, but he declined to play ball, so the game must now change and everyone around him must be discredited so he is guilty by association.

    Report Post » Doc_Slammin  
  • the hawk
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:28am

    Nothing wrong with telling people how far you’ll be pushed before your loading your guns
    That is free speach

    Report Post »  
  • SaintMichael
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:28am

    WTF? So if I own guns, and lots of them, if someone else in my area commits or threatens murder, I am some how linked in the lamestream media?

    F that noise. This chicka sounds exactly like the RIGHT type of CoS Colonel West needs.

    Report Post »  
  • LoneStarGigger
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:26am

    I say more folks on the right should speak their mind in this manner. That is the last thing these commies want to hear. Most of us are fed up to here with this leftists bullcrap that has been spewed for the last 70 years. Time to stand up, not bow down.
    These new folks in congress had better get a clue, we will not put up with this PC crap any longer. If you can’t do the job you were sent to do, we will fire your ass too!

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:08am

    Just another smear by the Left who love to shut down their opposition is any deceitful way they can. Can you say taquia?

    Don’t ever cave to these Progressive-regressive bullies! Because that’s what they want.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • cstcomputers
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:50pm

    This is just the beginning of the threats from the Progressives that Van Jones and his ilk will throw at people like Allen. Believe me it has begun. She did not say anything that is not true.

    Report Post » cstcomputers  
  • vic138
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:45pm

    Why haven’t I heard of this woman? I kinda like her.

    Report Post » vic138  
  • kentuckywonder69
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:37pm

    The left cannot understand that not all African-Americans are Democrats. Thank you Col. for your service, and for the service you will render in Congress. You are truly a great patriot, and a great American.

    Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:31pm

    And when the bullets run out, the sabers will rattle.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:15am

      Everyone should consider acquiring battle rifles in NATO calibers like 5.56×45 (.223) and 7.62×51 (.308). That way you can resupply your ammo from your enemy dead. You can also use your hunting rifles, handguns and etc. to acquire those battle rifles if you’re unable to purchase beforehand.

      Sabres are going to be real effective in this type warfare but would be better than nothing I suppose.

      Report Post »  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:17am

      Oops, that should’ve been “Sabres are NOT going to be real effective…”.

      Report Post »  
  • LIBERALSBEDAMNED
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:28pm

    God

    Report Post » LIBERALSBEDAMNED  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:17pm

    Times are calling for extreme measures.Do I want an outbreak of violence?………no. Will I defend myself and my family if forced to?……….yes. I truely hate violence, but I would have no choice if I were to be placed in that situation. I pray every night that it will not come to that, and that we can be able to peacefully turn this country around.I overheard a gentleman speaking to an aquaintance while I was in line at the grocery. He made a statement that struck me profoundly. He said that” We expect our brave men and women to protect our rights and our freedoms in far away lands the least we can do is protect the homeland for them while they are away.” This was an elderly man, soft spoken, and did not appear to be in the best of health. The last thing that he said was,” I am not a violent man, I have worked hard all of my life, but this is my country. I have served in war time. I am retired from the military and worked in a factory and retired again from there . I love my country and lost many fellow soldiers in battle. This is Veterens day, I will be damned if I will allow her to be taken or destroyed . I believe that they will force our hands. I will protect my family, my home, and what this nation was founded on. I am an old man, I have reaped the benefits this country has blessed me with. I will defend her once again if I am called.” I just stood there for a few minute and took it all in. I could not resist I asked him if I could give him a hug. We both had tears in our eyes. He was a true patriot.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:11am

      There’s millions more like him and not all of them are too old!

      Those that are too old to fight can load ammo, ferry supplies or information. Care for wounded, women and children and many other things.

      Everyone will have a job to do and everyone will be welcomed who proves their loyalty and trust.

      Report Post »  
    • LadyVet
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:48pm

      I too am a veteran of war and to see the direction the left is taking brings me to tears. The liberal media thinks all they have to do is bark at us when we assert our rights of free speech and bearing arms and we will shut up well, that doesn’t work on me. I will say what I mean and I will never give up my right to defend my country and way of life. America was formed as a constitutional republic by proud, self sufficient people and the liberal/socialists have turned us into a nation of spineless zombies who can’t think for themselves, look to the government to wipe their butts and will walk quietly to the execution chamber if some bureaucrat orders them to.

      Never! Socialist, Marxists, Communists have NO place in America, we must expose them and drive them out before we wind up like the Chinese when Mao took power with hundreds of thousands slaughtered and imprisoned. Socialism and Communism has NEVER worked to the benefit of the people. No matter how old I get I will expel my last breath working in defense of the American way of life, freedom for all who care to have it!

      Report Post »  
    • neverending
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:14pm

      What a fantastic story and I hope many here read it over and over again. No we don‘t want violence but we don’t and won’t lose our country.

      Report Post »  
  • red penny
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:03pm

    Not really a big deal but West better learn quickly that it doesn’t take much before you find yourself in deep Kemchee.Lt.Col West appears to be a good man but he must recognize that things in the political world are a far cry from the way things are done in the military. I hope he does well in Congress.

    Report Post »  
  • Ronko
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:54pm

    “If Ballots don’t work bullets will”, what an idiot Violence will never work its like trying to put water on the fire but instead its oil. I understand Freedom Of Speech but its Common Sense you can’t say anything like that not when the Republic is at stake. I don’t care if your Conservative, Liberal, or in between you can‘t say that stuff publicly you just can’t.

    Report Post »  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:07am

      It worked for George Washington and the boys.

      It worked against Hitler.

      And Japan.

      And in many other instances throughout history!

      Report Post »  
  • Diamondback
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:44pm

    So she basically did nothing “wrong” just told the truth.

    Political correctness strikes again.

    Folks, we MUST stop giving in to the ********!

    Report Post »  
  • Goohuman
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:41pm

    I’ve not even heard of Kaufman, but I’ve been following West closely. All I can say is that he must be the consumate professional, even if it means parting ways with good friends. I sincerely hope Kaufman tones it down as she can still cause problems just as Rev Wright still causes problems for Obama.

    As a military man, I trust Congressman Elect West’s words during his campaign were measured and precise and WILL result in action.

    Report Post » Goohuman  
  • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:39pm

    ” “I am convinced the most important thing the Founding Fathers did to ensure me my First Amendment rights was they gave me a Second Amendment,” she said. “And if ballots don’t work, bullets will.””

    There is absolutely nothing controversial about this statement. It’s in the Bill of Rights.

    “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

    Notice that the scope of this amendment is the State.

    Also notice that guns are necessary to the security of any kind of State, free or otherwise; and so the inclusion of the description “free” to describe the kind of State to which the amendment applies is quite noteworthy, in that it is an acknowledgement that violations of our unalienable rights do not have to have affected the entire country for the violations to warrant a defense according to the level of violence used by the State government to enforce those pretended legislations in violation of our unalienable rights. The individual mandate of Obamacare comes to mind.

    Report Post »  
    • Goohuman
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:48pm

      Not quite. All types of states may need guns to defend themselves, but putting guns in the hands of the PEOPLE ensures that they retain the power themselves and may choose their own path. I didn’t quite get that point from your statement.

      Report Post » Goohuman  
    • neverending
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:49pm

      Thank you – so well said.

      Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:32pm

    Isn’t there more important issues to address then this??? Kind of rings to the same tone as the Pastor Stephen Broden story. Find it a bit disgusting – unnecessary maybe?

    Report Post »  
  • smalizzi
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:28pm

    My Son’s school was in lockdown for the day. Scary! I listened to the scanner after I got the call from the school. They read the letter from the threat, which I found odd that they would do. It sounded like whoever wrote it was loony, saying that the government was run by aliens and the Illuminati….I‘m just glad everyone’s OK. My son‘s in kindergarten and thankfully he wasn’t freaked out when he got home!

    Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:22pm

      Sounds like the sort of “red herring” message that a radical leftist would leave, thinking that such looniness would be blamed on a Tea Party type person……silly radical leftist!

      Report Post »  
    • smalizzi
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:27am

      My thoughts too when I heard it!

      Report Post »  
  • Dstarr55
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:22pm

    How is this different than the Dylan Ratigan show where he advocated a violent revolution – even had an expert to back him up – a cartoonist. Anyone, left or right, that has a position of responsibility, such as a talk show host or commentator, should use their words wisely and think of the consequences of their speech. Yet to say her rhetoric incites violence is a bit of a stretch especially given the violent threat turned out to be a hoax.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyLibertea
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:20pm

    I think a lot of things that I would never actually vocalize, maybe she should have done the same.

    Report Post »  
    • catndahat
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 3:50pm

      Agreed tea,
      Prolly a lot thinkin’ it, but now the dog has been walked! You payz to playz in politics–and it’s all politics anymore…

      Report Post » catndahat  
  • GadsdenGurl
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:20pm

    Wow and what about the moron who was on with Dylan Ratigan the other night?

    Report Post » GadsdenGurl  
    • SOFLARIDER
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 2:14pm

      I suppose if either of them wanted a job as a Chief of Staff MSNBC would shoot them down too .

      Report Post »  
  • stang289
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:13pm

    Though some have suggested the email and phone seemingly linking Kaufman to a violent threat were a hoax and the police haven’t yet pinned down the perpetrators,?

    Report Post » stang289  
    • ozz
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:50pm

      Good chance the left has already begun a 2 yr smear campaign. “The ends justifies the means.”
      They answer to no God, so they are free to lie and cheat all they like. I expect to see allot of dirty pool. They have tasted power and don’t intend to give it back. Do not forget ” WATCH THE OTHER HAND.” Is this a warning shot?

      Report Post » ozz  
  • silentwatcher
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:11pm

    Hey, Obama and his ‘staff’ has a lot of people really pissed off.

    Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:10pm

    Besides Maddow isn’t happy until she slinging mud at someone. She is just a waste of valuable time on air.

    Report Post »  
    • HimmlersMasterPlan
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:36pm

      She’s also a waste of space. She’s also breathing my air, which I don’t want any commies breathing my air.

      Report Post »  
    • CollateralDamage
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:36pm

      “She’s also breathing my air, which I don’t want any commies breathing my air.”

      That’s why I left New York State. They surround you and breathe your air. Ugh.

      Collateral Damage  
    • chazman
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:30am

      I like Kaufman, but she was correct in stepping down. She was borderline with insurrection over the airwaves. That could have landed her in jail.

      What we need to do, people, is kick the Marxist’s out of our media and our schools! That can’t happen soon enough. It’s about time we call on the Marine Corps.

      I would live under martial law until we outlawed Socialism / Marxism / communism / Islam.

      And I would live under martial law until every one of our elected officials who voted for TARP, Cap and Trade, The Stimulus Bill and OBAMANURE CARE were all arrested, tried and convicted of treason against the United States of America!!

      I would live under martial law until all illegal aliens, not just hispanics, are arrested and kicked out of our country!!

      I would live under martial law until we kicked the U.N. out of our country and demolished the old U.N. building!!

      There are so many others. These are just a few.

      Marines: Your best friend or your worst enemy

      Report Post »  
    • realindependent
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:29am

      We should outlaw Facism. Thats what you corporate donations and lobying is doing to our democracy

      Report Post » realindependent  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:07pm

    Sounds to me that she is just voicing her opinion like everyone else. While since she is a radio talk show host. She should have picked her words more carefully. But I do know that we all are going to need to be armed to the teeth if this crap goes on much longer.

    Report Post »  
    • OneFunR6
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:22pm

      Some say buy gold and other suggest guns.
      I’m buying gold-plated guns!

      ‘Cause I believe that’s what the currency of the future will be…….

      Silly Lib’s, don’t run, you’ll only die tired! rof

      Report Post » OneFunR6  
    • ozz
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:43pm

      @onefunr6

      “Silly Lib’s, don’t run, you’ll only die tired! rof”
      ROFLMAO
      Thank you kind sir for making my day :D

      Report Post » ozz  
    • Diamondback
      Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:48pm

      I’d like to join the chorus of those strongly suggesting Freedom-loving Americans invest heavily in precious metals.

      I have been.

      Mostly copper plated lead!

      Hey, it prices go up even more than they have been, it could be almost as lucrative as gold and silver!

      Just sayin’

      Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:16am

      I listen to Kauffman a few years back.. she had these SAME opinions..she has NOT changed how she says things to be PC.. and for that I respect her.. I have not heard her call on ANYONE to cause violence and epically NOT in a school..I know many are taken aback by her cause she’s Latino and takes a HARD stand against ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS that makes many illegals mad.. She’s a stand up person to step aside to not cause any problems however.. a honorable lady

      independentvoteril  
    • realindependent
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:27am

      so ONEFUNR6 you are gonna start shhoting liberals with your gold plated guns? Wow talk about inciting violence.

      Report Post » realindependent  
    • realindependent
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:32am

      Joice Kaufman used to be a liberal. till she sold her soul to right wing radio for money or principles.
      just like Steve Kane another liberal who sold out for corporate money. So sad how fast people sell there souls for money. Aint that right Dennis Miller

      Report Post » realindependent  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 11:00am

      Her comments about the Founding Fathers and the First Amendment Rights and Second Amendment
      ought not be controversial Any who have read the Federalist Papers . Or the Prince(which our Founders
      probably were more familiar with than most Americans today) any reasonable observer would probably
      see the same parallels I do. I smell “progressive” lynch mob intent upon isolating Mr.Alan West.Question is what group or individual has most to benefit from such whisper campaign?

      Report Post »  
    • Disgusted 2
      Posted on November 13, 2010 at 2:28pm

      I like that ” Silly Libs dont run you’ll only die tired” I’ll have to remember that. Prepare America. The day may be here sooner than you think!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
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