The communications director for Maine’s largest labor federation is facing criticism after suggesting that Democrats unwilling to support the party’s United States Senate nominee would be “first up against the wall when the revolution comes.”
Andy O’Brien, communications director for the Maine AFL-CIO, made the remark on social media while responding to an opinion piece criticizing Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner. The federation represents roughly 160 local unions across the state.
O’Brien shared a link to a Hill opinion article by Democratic strategist Laurie A. Watkins titled, “I’m a Democratic Strategist. I Won’t Stay Silent About Graham Platner.” In the piece, Watkins argued that lifelong Democratic loyalty should not require supporting every candidate simply because they carry the party’s nomination.
Responding to the article, O’Brien wrote that political consultants like Watkins would be “first up against the wall when the revolution comes,” a phrase that quickly drew backlash online due to its association with political violence and revolutionary executions.
After criticism mounted, O’Brien insisted the comment was intended as a joke rather than a threat after he was accused of calling for firing squads.
“That’s not what I said. I was making a joke about people from away Mainesplaining our state because they summered here. It was a reference to a quote in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams,” O’Brien wrote.
He also apologized for the post, adding, “I apologize to anyone who is upset by this stupid joke. I never meant to imply any violent intent against people I disagree with politically. I deplore political violence.”
The controversy is notable because O’Brien has previously been outspoken in condemning individuals he viewed as extremists or neo-Nazis, making his own rhetoric more ironic to some critics.
The incident comes as Platner continues to face mounting scrutiny over his own past online activity. Archived posts from a former Reddit account linked to the Democratic nominee have resurfaced in recent weeks, containing graphic sexual jokes, incendiary political statements, and controversial comments about military veterans. Although many of the posts were later deleted, archived versions have been reviewed and verified by multiple news outlets.
Platner has also faced scrutiny over other aspects of his past, including allegations concerning his personal conduct and previously reported online activity. Despite the controversies, he secured the Democratic nomination earlier this month and is set to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
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