Politicians Condemn Violence Against Them BUT, They CONSTANTLY Order VIOLENCE AGAINST NJ JOURNALISTS EXPOSING THEIR CORRUPTION AND THEY CHEER!

In the wake of the horrific, politically motivated shootings in Minnesota that left a state senator dead and others wounded, public officials across the country have rightfully come together to denounce violence in politics. Violence is never the answer, and targeting elected officials or anyone engaged in public service is unacceptable.

But while some politicians loudly condemn violence when it reaches their doorstep, they remain disturbingly silent when it happens to those who dare to challenge them—especially journalists.

Nowhere is this hypocrisy more glaring than in Union City, New Jersey, where journalists investigating long-standing corruption tied to Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack have faced a consistent campaign of violence, intimidation, and harassment. Among the most targeted is Investigator Journalist Leroy Truth, an seasoned journalist who has spent the last 18 months shining a light on the political machine operating in Hudson County and Union City.

Well-Documented Violence and Harassment

The assaults against Leroy Truth and other investigative journalists are not rumors—they are well-documented incidents, backed by photos, videos, police reports, and eyewitness accounts. But perhaps most disturbingly, the Union City Police Chief, Anthony Facchini, himself was accused for directly being involved in the harassment of Leroy Truth. The very person sworn to uphold public safety participated in physical harassment and intimidation against a journalist. When the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the city is complicit in this behavior, it signals a dangerous culture where political power tramples the rule of law.

Including the illegal arrest for said journalist for speaking up during public comments in a public commissioner’s meeting.

In one particularly egregious case, Justin Mercado, a close staff member and political operative in Brian Stack’s inner circle, was involved in theft and physical assault against journalists. This was not an isolated event. Other city employees and political staffers have also been identified as aggressors in various incidents of physical harassment and intimidation targeting members of the press who seek to uncover the truth.

The Silence Is Deafening

If politicians like Brian Stack want to cry foul about “violence tourism” and political threats, they need to take a hard look at the violence they condone and even enable within their own local spheres. It is the height of hypocrisy to demand protection for themselves while brushing aside the daily violence, threats, and harassment faced by journalists who dare to question their power.

Brian Stack has a long history of acting like a political tough guy, but perhaps he has forgotten the lesson he learned years ago when he famously walked away with a black eye after a confrontation. It seems that instead of learning humility or accountability, he’s built a system that fosters intimidation rather than transparency.

Other incidents include being forcefully removed from a state senate judiciary committee hearing by the New Jersey State police on Senator Brian Stack‘s orders for speaking and calling him out on his corruption publicly.

Another incident is at a Jersey City monumental Baptist Church in which clearly documented by body camera, Governor Phil Murphy with former governor Jim McGreevy, ordered the state police to have Leroy truth removed from the church while he was praying with no prior incident. The recording shows the New Jersey state troopers in plane clothes, speaking with officers of the Jersey City police department planning their move and having the Jersey City officers Conduct a forceful removal of the journalist.

And with the most recent event during the Campaign rally both Journalist Leroy truth and Scalzo photo we’re physically attacked. They were truth if physically prevented from walking around and being physically surrounded by political volunteers and picket signs. Scalzo photo is seen to be physically attacked and strangled by Brian Stack volunteers.

A Dangerous Double Standard

No one is advocating violence against public officials. The tragic events in Minnesota should horrify everyone. But what’s equally horrifying is the selective outrage we see from politicians who only seem to care when the violence is directed at them—not when it’s directed at the people holding them accountable. There is even an incident in which Mayor Brian Stack is accused for strangling another individual in North Bergen a few years back.

If we are going to have a serious conversation about political violence in America, it must include the violence inflicted on journalists, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens who stand up to corrupt political machines.

Anything less is just performative outrage.