By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of The Amato Report.

As Liu tried to walk away from a shouting crowd, a protester stepped within three inches of his face and shouted, “You’re stupid and evil,” before snatching his campaign sign. The moment captured the raw tension that a Republican candidate says has become commonplace at political events in California.

What happened at the Steve Hilton rally

David Liu, the Republican candidate for California’s 49th State Assembly district, recounted a harrowing encounter at a Steve Hilton gathering in the Los Angeles area. According to Liu, the rally attracted a hostile group that initially aimed to disrupt Hilton’s speech. When they could not reach the speaker, they turned their aggression toward Liu, recognizing his support for Hilton and his own candidacy.

“They were yelling, ‘the president is bad, is stupid, is evil. Steve is bad, is stupid, is evil,’” Liu said. “I tried to walk away, but they got even more aggressive.” The confrontation escalated when a woman in the crowd seized Liu’s campaign signs and continued to taunt him, prompting Liu to call 911.

Police response and legal considerations

Within minutes, officers from the local police department arrived on the scene. Liu explained that the first responders noted potential violations under California Penal Code 594 (vandalism) for the removal of his signs and Penal Code 484 (theft) for the alleged taking of his property. Liu expressed a clear desire to pursue prosecution, stating, “I want to file prosecution. I want to protect myself and the people in the district.” The officers consulted a superior before additional units arrived, but Liu reported that the aggressive protester was allowed to leave without immediate citation.

The candidate highlighted the difficulty of securing accountability, noting that “a lot of law enforcement… don’t want to do anything about it.” He argued that the reluctance to act undermines the rule of law and threatens the safety of candidates who simply wish to exercise their First‑Amendment rights.

A pattern of intimidation toward conservatives

Liu is not alone in his experience. He told host Rick Amato that a recent press conference with other Republican candidates revealed a shared sense of being targeted. “Almost every single one of them has experienced the same thing,” Liu said, describing a broader climate of political violence that he believes is being downplayed by mainstream media.

These claims echo earlier incidents involving conservative figures, including the 2023 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi‑style commentator The Amato, who was assassinated while speaking publicly. Liu drew a parallel, emphasizing that “freedom of speech is a flaw” that must be defended through consistent law‑enforcement action.

Media coverage and the candidate’s outreach

According to Liu, the mainstream press has largely ignored the incident. In response, he has pursued coverage through outlets more aligned with his perspective, including One America News, the Matt Gaetz Show, and John Solomon’s Just the News. Liu’s outreach underscores a growing frustration among conservative candidates who feel marginalized by traditional news channels.

The Amato Report interview concluded with Amato offering an endorsement for Liu’s campaign, noting the candidate’s commitment to “Safe Streets” and “Safer California,” platforms also championed by Steve Hilton. Liu’s message to voters centered on the importance of protecting free speech and ensuring that candidates can campaign without fear of intimidation.

Implications for California’s political climate

The episode raises questions about the balance between protest rights and candidate safety. While the First Amendment protects peaceful dissent, the line blurs when protesters engage in physical intimidation, vandalism, or theft. Liu’s call for prosecution highlights a demand for clearer enforcement guidelines that safeguard all participants in the democratic process.

California’s diverse electorate and active civic engagement have long made the state a microcosm of national political tensions. If incidents like Liu’s continue unchecked, they could deter candidates from seeking office, potentially narrowing the field of voices represented in future elections.

As the 2026 midterm cycle approaches, candidates and election officials alike will need to address the growing concern over political violence. Ensuring that law‑enforcement agencies respond promptly and impartially could become a litmus test for the health of California’s democratic discourse.

Ultimately, Liu’s experience serves as a reminder that the protection of free speech extends beyond the right to speak—it includes the right to do so without fear of physical retaliation. The conversation sparked by his interview on The Amto Report may prompt both lawmakers and police departments to re‑examine policies that safeguard candidates across the political spectrum.

The full episode of The Amato Report is available on OBBM Network TV.