Ohio Republican regrets ‘civil war’ comment at Vance rally

An Ohio Republican who represents the hometown of vice presidential nominee JD Vance endorsed the idea of a civil war at a rally Monday and walked it back later, saying he regretted using divisive language at a time of political violence.

State Sen. George Lang said after the Trump-Vance rally that he and others need to be more careful with their language.

“I regret the divisive remarks I made in the excitement of the moment on stage,” Lang said. “Especially in light of the assassination attempt of President Trump last week, we should all be mindful of what is said at political events, myself included.”

Lang was speaking at rally in Middletown, Ohio, for Donald Trump ahead of Vance when he made the original remark about the urgency to support the Republican ticket in November.

“I’m afraid if we lose this one, it’s going to take a civil war to save the country, and it will be saved,” Lang said. “It’s the greatest experiment in the history of mankind, and if we come down to a civil war, I’m glad we got people like … Bikers for Trump on our side.”

Lang later said in a statement on X that his comments “do not accurately reflect my views.”

Republicans and Democrats have urged people to tone down their political rhetoric following the July 13 attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The Kamala Harris campaign sought to Lang’s remarks to Trump’s declaration of “I am your retribution” at a rally last year.

“Donald Trump and JD Vance are running a campaign openly sowing hatred and promising revenge against their political opponents,” campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement. “That’s why a Republican official was empowered to predict a civil war while introducing these candidates.”