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Rhetoric has no place in San Luis Obispo County politics

January 26, 2026

Tom Fulks

OPINION by ERIK GORHAM

As the national debate over immigration and customs enforcement intensifies, that tension has now spilled into San Luis Obispo County, this time fueled not by policy disagreements, but by reckless rhetoric from a local political leader.

Two weeks ago, local Democratic Party Chair Tom Fulks appeared on The Dave Congalton Show. Known for his provocative style and casual relationship with facts, Fulks did not disappoint. But during this segment, he crossed into new and troubling territory.

At several points, Fulks engaged in rhetoric that went well beyond political critique.

In one instance, he appeared to suggest that Second Amendment activists should take up arms against ICE officers. In another, he claimed, without evidence, that ICE may include members of the far-right group the Proud Boys among its ranks.

These are not minor exaggerations or heated metaphors; they are serious allegations and implications that, when broadcast publicly, risk inflaming tensions and encouraging dangerous misunderstandings.

This type of messaging fits what scholars describe as stochastic or scholastic terrorism: the use of inflammatory language by public figures that does not explicitly call for violence, but increases the likelihood that a small segment of listeners may feel justified in taking violent action.

While such rhetoric has unfortunately become common at the national level, it is deeply unsettling to see it emerge from a local party leader in SLO County.

The segment itself was riddled with misinformation and contradiction. At one point, Fulks stated that he does not believe President Trump won the election, only to quickly retreat from the claim, seemingly to avoid being labeled an election denier.

This kind of rhetorical whiplash underscores the larger problem: when facts become optional, public trust erodes.

The real question is not whether one agrees or disagrees with ICE, President Trump, or federal immigration policy. Reasonable people can, and should, debate those issues vigorously.

The real question is what has happened to our local political culture when leaders feel comfortable advancing unsubstantiated claims, demonizing law enforcement wholesale, and flirting with language that could inspire real-world harm.

Disagreement is healthy. Propaganda is not. Passion is necessary. Recklessness is not.

Local leaders should be held to a higher standard, because words spoken on the radio do not stay on the radio. They ripple outward, shaping perceptions, fueling anger, and, in the worst cases, putting lives at risk.

SLO County deserves better.

Erik Gorham is a fifth generation San Luis Obispo County resident and a voting member of the SLO County Republican Central Committee.

 


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The Democrats have only one plank in their 2026 platform and it is bellowed from every soapbox, from Congress, the MSM and awards shows. “ICE is the enemy”. That’s it. Nothing about social policy, economy, defence, energy dependence. Nothing else. They are “all in” on that one issue. But what is the issue really? Simple. Illegal immigration will be paramount for 2030 when the census counts them. The only reason for sanctuary cities is so those cities are chock full of census counts. Since all of them are deep blue, that will result in congressional seats for Democrats. It has nothing, nothing to do with humanity and generosity.


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Mr Gorham surely must realize that President Trump is perhaps this generations greatest political divider, and disagree with him or not, has countless times engaged in all the behaviors listed in this article. Advancing unsubstantiated claims? Check. Facts becoming optional? Check. Increase the likelihood for violence through inflammatory speech? Check. We could go on ad nauseum.


So does Mr Gorham support the President inspite of his “rhetoric”, making him a common hypocrite? Or is his head really buried so deep in the sand it’s impossible to see or hear anything that’s happened the last decade or so? Either is disappointing.


1

Wow. The democrats can sling some pretty bad rhetoric but if you were to tally up all the dangerous rhetoric from Republicans, I still don’t think it would compare. But it’s all dangerous. Can’t you Republicans see that? I guess not. BTW, I’m going to stay an independent voter. The smell reeks on both sides.


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Looks like Tom Fulked up again…


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Being that the Democratic Party is a criminal organization, Fulks must be a soldier or maybe a consigliere.


0

“Just plain Fulks” has been a canker sore on the county for decades. What a putz. Nobody takes him seriously except old fat hippy chicks with green hair and limp-wristed wusses.!


32

Looking forward to Tom Fulks rebuttal post.


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Totally agree! There needs to be one whereas Fulks will be able to provide many sound bites of Erik disputing elections. He will also be able to provide evidence whereas last week on KVEC Erik claimed ICE agents receive the same training as other law enforcement agents. Flat out false and a sad slap in the face of Every. Single. law enforcement officer that goes to police academy for 8 months. They also have to study every day; 20 hours a week. There are multiple recruiting sites for ICE officers whereas they can be an agent with only 40 hours of training.

I trust Erik to be more credible, balanced and fair than Fulks. But every stone he is throwing is at accusations that he himself, Trump and his side kicks has been doing for years. Which in some way validates what Fulks says.


3

You are very misinformed. Ice agent recruits attend FLETCHER , which is the federal law-enforcement training center in Glyncoe, Georgia. Their training last approximately 22 weeks. It is rigorous, just as rigorous as any police officer

in California. It also includes specialized training that regular law-enforcement officers do not get.


1

Also, the opinion of Erik G. is absolutely valid.


I can run my mouth all day long as a taxpaying, voting (not a felon) American citizen. Elected officials need to watch their mouth when their words oppose actual law.


#NEVERVoteDemoNcratAgain


27

You seem to be proud you are not a felon. Strong work. Most people aren’t.

But you voted for and openly support a person who is? Has been his whole adult life and actively suppressing the Epstein files. You know who does that kind of thing? Guilty pedophiles, that’s who.


-36

Your misinformation guzzling skillZ make you a legend in your own mind.


Real facts show that DJT has ZERO felonies on his record, nor any connection to Epstein Island (just on flight logs to and from NY to FL).


AND he’s still YOUR POTUS for 3 more years.


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