Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Massachusetts, received criticism from both the left and right after he softened his stance on Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Maine Senate seat. Initially, Auchincloss condemned Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo, stating, "I hope Maine voters agree with me." However, after clarifying that he was not endorsing Platner's opponent, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, and backing away from urging voters to oppose Platner, he faced backlash from various political factions.
Platner has been scrutinized since revealing last year that he had a black skull-and-crossbones tattoo, which he claimed he did not recognize as a Nazi symbol at the time of getting it during a Marine deployment in Croatia. Auchincloss stated on social media, "As I said months ago, I find Platner's Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying. If it were me, I'd vote for someone else in the Maine Democratic primary."
Critics from the left, including journalist Peter Beinart and commentator Rachel Bitecofer, expressed confusion over Auchincloss's position, questioning his commitment to Democratic principles. On the right, conservatives accused Auchincloss of capitulating to pressure after his initial criticism. Will Chamberlain, a senior counsel at the Trump-aligned Article III Project, remarked on social media, "It only took 24 hours for you to bend the knee to the Nazi tattoo guy?"
Platner, who has since covered up the tattoo, has faced further scrutiny for past controversial statements made in deleted Reddit posts. The upcoming primary, scheduled for June 9, is critical for Democrats aiming to regain control of the Senate, with Collins viewed as a vulnerable incumbent.