Michigan senator yells expletive during debate over political violence

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Oct 21, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

LANSING, Mich. — A Republican Michigan lawmaker criticized a Democratic-backed resolution to condemn political violence, labeling the proposal "complete bulls---" during a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor.

The remarks from Sen. Joe Bellino of Monroe eventually spurred Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, who was leading the Senate at the time, to intervene and strike the Senate gavel multiple times, before the daily session was adjourned.

The resolution in question was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, after Republicans unsuccessfully proposed a different one, a week ago, as a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September.

The Brinks resolution condemned "political violence in all forms."

"The Michigan Senate values the right of Michiganders to freely express themselves and feel safe when doing so, as civic engagement is crucial for a successful democracy," the two-page resolution said.

After the Senate adopted the resolution in a voice vote, Bellino gave a five-minute speech about the proposal. He accused Democrats and the media of falsely portraying Republicans as "the party of political violence."

Bellino discussed a string of incidents, including one during his 2022 campaign for the Senate, when, he said, a union group put a noose in his front yard and his wife discovered it.

"Now, you want to talk about civility and no violence," Bellino said. "Complete bulls---."

Geiss then struck her gavel. And Bellino began yelling. He shouted at one point, "They upset my wife!"

Geiss continued to hit the gavel. Bellino yelled again, "Complete bulls---," before concluding his remarks.

Immediately before Bellino began speaking, an elementary school class from DeWitt was recognized as being in the Senate gallery. Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, said the class most likely left before Bellino got to the end of his speech.

Asked about Bellino's remarks, Rosie Jones, spokeswoman for Brinks, said the Senate leader expects members to maintain decorum in the chamber.

"But senators are also allowed to have human moments, which is how she views his comments today," Jones said of Bellino.

Bellino stood by his remarks in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

"You're damn right," Bellino told The Detroit News.

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, introduced his resolution that memorialized Kirk and condemned political violence on Oct. 14.

"He personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak freely, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans," the Nesbitt resolution said.

Senate Democratic leadership sent the Nesbitt proposal to committee and didn't hold a vote on it.

On Tuesday, Brinks said Nesbitt had insisted as "using Charlie Kirk's death for personal political gain" and Nesbitt had declined to sign onto a joint statement against political violence after Kirk's assassination.

In his own speech, Nesbitt said Democrats needed to call out "violent rhetoric" and put America and the people of the state "first."

_____