Republican Sen. Mike Lee deleted his controversial social media posts concerning the assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband after a number of individuals criticized the Utah Republican for his feedback.
On Sunday night time — a day after a masked gunman disguised as a police officer shot and killed Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their Minnesota dwelling — Lee made posts referencing the assault and that includes photographs of Vance Boelter, the suspect within the capturing.
The primary submit was captioned “That is what occurs When Marxists do not get their method” and the second says “Nightmare on Waltz road,” seemingly blaming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for the shootings — which the governor known as an “act of focused political violence.” The posts have been deleted from his account Tuesday afternoon.
Throughout a press convention on the Capitol Tuesday, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar stated she spoke with Lee — however did not explicitly say whether or not he eliminated the posts as a result of she requested him to.
“Senator Lee and I had dialogue, and I am very glad he took it down,” Klobuchar stated of the posts.
The Minnesota Democrat declined to supply particular particulars on her dialogue with Lee.
“I informed him what I’ve stated publicly — that this is not one bit humorous for my state. They spent the weekend, lots of them, locked of their houses in sure areas, relying on the place they thought that the assassin went,” Klobuchar stated.
Lee, throughout a short dialog with reporters on Tuesday, additionally acknowledged he had a “fast” dialog with Klobuchar.
Sen. Mike Lee participates in a Senate Judiciary Committee listening to on the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing, Might 13, 2025.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos
Lee’s posts prompted speedy backlash from Democrats who condemned Lee for making them.
“To aim to politicize this tragedy is totally unacceptable. This rhetoric from elected officers is past harmful and incites much more violence,” Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin stated on the Senate ground Monday. “It’s reprehensible, and it should be known as out — on each side of the aisle — each side of the aisle. As a result of within the land of the free and the house of the courageous, everybody ought to really feel protected expressing their political beliefs — and we must not ever accomplish that in a method that condones violence or intimidation.”
Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten criticized Lee’s posts throughout an interview on ABC Information Dwell Tuesday: “Disgrace, disgrace on you, senator. You realize higher than that.”
“I additionally hope that my Republican colleagues within the Home and the Senate will condemn these actions,” Scholten stated, later including, “We have to come collectively, no matter social gathering, when such a violence raises its head and condemn it within the strongest doable phrases.”
Former RNC Chair Michael Steele informed Lee to “develop the hell up” in a post on X.
A memorial is seen on the desk of DFL State Rep. Melissa Hortman within the Home chambers on the Minnesota State Capitol, June 16, 2025 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Steven Garcia/Getty Photos
Leaving a gathering on the Capitol Monday night time, Lee ignored questions from reporters concerning the posts.
ABC Information has reached out to his workplace for remark.
The assaults have prompted swift condemnation from Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill and across the nation — with many urging elected officials to turn down heated rhetoric.
Klobuchar has condemned the “horrible assault” and stated on Sunday that “this can be a very unhealthy setting, and we have to convey the tone down.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson stated “such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and each chief should unequivocally condemn it.”
