A contentious billboard in Maryland has ignited controversy by portraying President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris unfavorably. Located at the intersection of Route 4 and Bowie Shop Road in Huntington, the sign features cartoon caricatures of the two sitting in piles of excrement, accompanied by a pro-Trump slogan: “DON’T BLAME TRUMP! YOU ARE STUCK WITH THESE TWO (expletive) HEADS!!!” While some conservatives express support for the message, numerous residents in Maryland find it offensive. Jeanette Flaim, chair of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee, has vocally condemned the billboard, stating, “It’s just vulgar. Kids are going to school, passing it every day. Parents shouldn’t have to explain that.”
In response to complaints, county officials have indicated they are unable to remove the billboard due to a 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which protects offensive speech under the First Amendment. Buddy Hance, president of the Board of County Commissioners, remarked, “Sometimes we like free speech, and sometimes we don’t.”
Flaim contends that while she does not oppose political messaging, the billboard’s crude language is unsuitable for public display. She hopes that public pressure will encourage the owner to take it down. Meanwhile, the creator of the billboard has remained silent, leaving their motives open to speculation.
