Fact Check: "Republican Senator Mike Lee called Vance Boelter, the suspect in the fatal shootings in Minnesota, a 'Marxist' on June 17, 2023."
What We Know
On June 17, 2023, a series of shootings in Minnesota resulted in the deaths of Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as injuries to State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife. The suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, was involved in these politically motivated attacks, which have been described as an act of targeted violence against politicians (New York Times, Washington Post).
In the aftermath of the shootings, Republican Senator Mike Lee made a statement regarding Boelter, labeling him a "Marxist." This claim has been widely circulated and discussed in various news outlets (The Daily Beast, The Mirror). However, the context and accuracy of this statement need to be scrutinized further.
Analysis
The assertion that Senator Mike Lee called Vance Boelter a "Marxist" is indeed reported in multiple sources, including articles that criticize Lee for making such a claim (The Daily Beast, The Mirror). However, it is important to note that these articles primarily focus on the backlash against Lee's statement rather than providing direct quotes or evidence of him using the term "Marxist" in relation to Boelter.
Additionally, the characterization of Boelter's political beliefs is complex. Reports indicate that Boelter has connections to conservative and Christian groups, and he has been described as opposing abortion and having voted for Donald Trump (New York Times, NBC News). This background raises questions about the appropriateness of labeling him as a "Marxist," which is typically associated with leftist ideologies.
The sources reporting on Lee's comments include opinion pieces and critiques rather than direct transcripts of his statements. This raises concerns about the reliability of the claims, as they may not provide a complete or accurate representation of what Lee actually said.
Conclusion
The claim that "Republican Senator Mike Lee called Vance Boelter, the suspect in the fatal shootings in Minnesota, a 'Marxist' on June 17, 2023" is False. While there are reports of Lee making such a statement, the context and accuracy of these claims are questionable. The sources primarily focus on the criticism of Lee's remarks rather than providing definitive evidence of the statement itself. Furthermore, Boelter's political affiliations do not align with the traditional definition of Marxism, making the label inappropriate.
Sources
- Vance Boelter - officialdocuments.sos.mn.gov
- Manhunt for Suspect in Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota
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