The mayor of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Bruno Toussaint, revealed at a press conference on Thursday that he had been the target of a death threat accompanied by a 7-millimeter rifle cartridge, used for hunting big game. This act, which he described as “unacceptable,” occurred during the summer at his home.
The case dates back to July 23, when an anonymous letter was sent to his home, containing explicit threats against him and his wife. Visibly moved, the mayor of the town explained that this letter, written on the computer, criticized him for his active involvement as a local elected official. “I was mainly criticized for being present at the demonstrations, for being present with the population, for multiplying local actions,” he declared. Among the controversial decisions attributed to him was the reduction of the speed limit to 30 km/h in the city center of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.
One week to resign
The letter gave the elected official one week to resign, failing which the threat against him and his wife would be carried out. Toussaint said the letter was sent just days after he announced in the local press his intention to run for a second term in the upcoming municipal elections.
The content of the letter was particularly alarming, referring to an assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump. “After the deadline of July 30, you will be on probation, you will be on probation. From your home to the cemetery, there are eight meters. We grazed Donald Trump at 130 meters. At eight meters, we will not miss you,” the letter read. Bruno Toussaint refused to read the entire letter to the press, explaining that the remarks were “so vulgar towards my wife.”
An investigation is underway
Although he remained silent as requested in the letter, the mayor immediately alerted the police and the prefect of these threats. A complaint was filed, and an investigation is underway. According to Bruno Toussaint, it is “progressing well”. Despite this act of intimidation, the mayor, in office since 2022 after eight years as first deputy, affirmed his determination to continue his political commitment. “This case will not prevent me from continuing”.
Beyond his own situation, the councillor was outraged by the attack on his person and his position. “That someone should attack an elected official who devotes more than 80 hours a week to his position is unacceptable to me. Where are the values of the Republic?” he concluded gravely.