Vox editor suspended for encouraging riots at Donald Trump rallies

Vox deputy editor Emmett Rensin was suspended by the media site Friday for encouraging people to riot at Donald Trump rallies.

Vox editor-in-chief Ezra Klein said in a statement that Mr. Rensin’s conduct “violated Vox’s standards and Emmett has been suspended as a consequence.”

“We at Vox do not take institutional positions on most questions, and we encourage our writers to debate and disagree,” Mr. Klein said. “But direct encouragement of riots crosses a line between expressing a contrary opinion and directly encouraging dangerous, illegal activity.”

Mr. Rensin posted a series of tweets Thursday night encouraging people to riot at Mr. Trump’s presidential rallies.

“Advice: If Trump comes to our town, start a riot,” he said in one.

“Let’s be clear: It’s never a shame to storm the barricades set up around a fascist,” he said in another.

He followed up those tweets with dozens more defending his stance, after users on the social media site questioned his position.

The tweets coincided with outbreaks of violence at Mr. Trump’s rally in San Jose, California.

Protesters were caught on video assaulting several supporters of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

One man fell to the ground after being sucker-punched in the face. His assailant was arrested.

Another supporter of Mr. Trump was surrounded and punched and kicked in the face.

One protester burned a “Make America Great Again” hat, while another could be seen burning an American flag.