Sen. Mike Lee takes down controversial X posts after widespread criticism
Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah took down X posts Tuesday making an apparent connection between Gov. Tim Walz and the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, and blaming 'Marxists' for the murders. The change comes after blowback from Sen. Tina Smith and her staffers as well as Democratic and Republican state representatives.
One X post said 'Nightmare on Waltz Street,' with pictures of Boelter, who is accused of killing Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in the early morning hours of June 14. Boelter also went to the homes of two other state lawmakers that night; one house empty, and at the other, a police officer pulled up to the house shortly after Boelter arrived, so Boelter left.
Another post read, 'This is what happens When Marxists don't get their way,' with a picture of Boelter.
Misinformation about Boelter's apparent connection to Walz has been circulating online since the murder. Walz reappointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Board after he was originally appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton, but Walz had no personal connection to Boelter. There have also been claims online that Boelter is a leftist, though his roommate told reporters that he is a Trump supporter.
The changes to Lee's X feed come after a confrontation between Lee and Smith Monday at the U.S. Capitol.
'I wanted him to hear directly from me about how painful that was and how wrong that was,' Smith told the Star Tribune. Smith, who was a friend of Hortman's, said Lee did not apologize during their conversation.
Ed Shelleby, Smith's deputy chief of staff, sent an email to Lee's staff condemning the senator's posts.
'You exploited the murder of a lifetime public servant and her husband to post some sick burns about Democrats. Did you see this as an excellent opportunity to get likes and retweet? Have you absolutely no conscience? No decency?' a copy of the email obtained by Semafor said.
Several Minnesota Republicans also condemned Lee's posts.
'I have tremendous respect for Senator Mike Lee, but it doesn't mean he is immune from the base impulses social media incentivizes. People say stupid stuff on the internet all the time. The best they can do is admit they shouldn't have and be better,' Rep. Nolan West, R-Blaine, wrote on X. He later responded to his post saying, 'Respect rescinded.'
'This has nothing to do with Governor Walz,' Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, posted on X.
In separate press conferences Monday, both state and federal officials addressed the misinformation that has been circulating online about the assassination.
'As our community grieves, I encourage those out there seeking to create additional chaos to stop spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories,' Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.
Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com.
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