Trump Rallies Tennessee Voters Against Democrat Who Advocated Defunding Police

President Donald Trump issued an urgent appeal to Tennessee voters on Sunday, calling on residents of the state’s 7th Congressional District to support Republican candidate Matt Van Epps in Tuesday’s special election against Democratic state Representative Aftyn Behn.

The facts here are straightforward. With just two days remaining before the December 2 election, Trump took to Truth Social to mobilize “all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District” who have not yet cast their ballots. The president did not mince words regarding Behn’s policy positions and past statements.

According to Trump, Behn “hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women’s sports, and openly disdains Country music.” The president emphasized that these positions were documented, stating emphatically that “IT’S ON TAPE!”

The evidence supports Trump’s concerns about Behn’s record. The Democratic candidate has drawn national scrutiny for a series of controversial past statements, including anti-police rhetoric that extended to advocating for defunding law enforcement. Specifically, Behn previously suggested that the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department should be defunded, a position that aligns with the radical progressive movement that gained traction in 2020.

When confronted about her deleted tweets from 2020 that were highly critical of police, Behn was asked to clarify her previous remarks during a recent interview. The question itself reveals the problem: politicians who take extreme positions during politically convenient moments, then attempt to memory-hole those positions when facing broader electorates.

Beyond her stance on law enforcement, Behn has also expressed disdain for country music and Nashville’s drinking culture, which is particularly noteworthy given that she is running to represent a Tennessee district where these cultural elements are deeply valued by constituents.

Trump characterized Van Epps as “one of the best Candidates we’ve ever had,” giving him his “Complete and Total Endorsement” while warning that “The Radical Left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat” him. The president assured voters that Van Epps “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Van Epps brings substantial credentials to the race. A lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and former Army helicopter pilot, he received Trump’s formal endorsement earlier this year, calling the president’s support “an incredible honor.”

The special election became necessary following Representative Mark Green’s resignation from Congress, which further reduced the House Republican majority. This makes the race particularly significant for maintaining Republican strength in the lower chamber.

Here is what voters need to understand: this election represents a clear choice between competing visions for Tennessee’s future. On one side stands a military veteran with a record of service. On the other stands a progressive Democrat whose past advocacy for defunding police and apparent hostility toward Tennessee’s cultural traditions raises legitimate questions about whether she can effectively represent the district’s values.

Trump’s warning that voters should “not take this Race for granted” reflects a broader reality about special elections. Lower turnout can produce unexpected results, particularly when, as Trump noted, the opposition is “spending a fortune” to flip a seat.

The question for Tennessee voters is simple: do Behn’s progressive positions and past statements align with the values of the 7th Congressional District? The answer will be delivered at the ballot box on December 2.

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