Fact Check: Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah suggested that the assassination of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota was the work of 'Marxists' in social media posts made on Sunday, shortly after the incident.

Fact Check: Mike Lee Blames Minnesota Assassination on 'Marxists'

What We Know

On Sunday, shortly after the assassination of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota, Senator Mike Lee of Utah made a series of controversial posts on social media. In his initial post, he stated, “This is what happens When Marxists don’t get their way,” accompanied by images of the suspect released by law enforcement (New York Times). An hour later, he followed up with another post referring to the incident as “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” seemingly targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (NBC News).

The posts drew immediate backlash, prompting Lee to later issue a more measured statement on his official Senate account, condemning violence and expressing condolences for the victims (New York Times). The suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, had a history of conservative beliefs and was reportedly opposed to abortion, although his political affiliation remains unclear (NBC News).

Analysis

Senator Lee's posts have been widely criticized as irresponsible and inflammatory. Critics, including fellow lawmakers, have condemned his remarks as an attempt to politicize a tragic event. For instance, Senator Tina Smith confronted Lee directly, expressing the pain his comments caused to her and others affected by the shooting (NBC News). Additionally, Senator Amy Klobuchar, a close friend of the deceased lawmaker, stated she would address Lee's comments upon returning to Capitol Hill, emphasizing that such remarks are not appropriate in the wake of violence (New York Times).

The lack of evidence linking the shooter to Marxist ideologies raises questions about the validity of Lee's claims. Reports indicate that the suspect was described as a religious conservative, which contradicts Lee's narrative (New York Times). Furthermore, the political motivations behind the shooting remain speculative, as law enforcement has not confirmed any ideological affiliation of the suspect (Politico).

In evaluating the reliability of the sources, the New York Times and NBC News are reputable outlets known for their journalistic standards. However, the sensational nature of the incident and the political context may introduce bias in reporting, particularly in how different media outlets frame Lee's comments.

Conclusion

The claim that Senator Mike Lee suggested the assassination of a Democratic lawmaker was the work of "Marxists" is True. His social media posts directly attributed the violence to Marxist ideology, despite the lack of evidence supporting such a claim. The backlash from various political figures highlights the contentious nature of his statements and the broader implications of politicizing acts of violence.

Sources

1. Mike Lee Draws Outrage for Posts Blaming Minnesota Assassination on Far ...
2. Tina Smith says she confronted Mike Lee over 'cruel' social media posts ...
3. Mike Lee confronted by Minnesota colleague over shooting ...
4. GOP Senator's Minnesota Assassination Comments Spark Backlash
5. Mike Lee confronted by Minnesota colleagues for posts on political ...
6. Mike Lee outrages Minnesota politicians with social media ...
7. PolitiFact | Sen. Mike Lee's evidence-free conspiracy theory that the ...