Fact Check: Senator Mike Lee Mocked Deadly Shootings in Minnesota
What We Know
On October 14, 2023, a series of shootings in Minnesota resulted in the deaths of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were injured. The alleged shooter, identified as Vance Boelter, was reported to be at large following the incidents, prompting a significant manhunt by law enforcement (source-1).
In the aftermath, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) made several controversial comments on social media that were interpreted as mocking the situation. He tweeted, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way,” and referred to the incident as the “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” a jab at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (source-2). These remarks drew widespread criticism, with many accusing him of insensitivity and politicizing a tragic event (source-3).
Analysis
The backlash against Senator Lee's comments was immediate and intense, with social media users expressing outrage over what they perceived as an inappropriate response to a violent tragedy. Critics described his remarks as “disgusting” and “depraved,” emphasizing that mocking the deaths of individuals in such a context is unacceptable (source-3).
Lee's assertion that the shooter was a "Marxist" has been challenged by various sources, which indicate that Boelter was more aligned with conservative ideologies and had previously attended rallies supporting former President Donald Trump (source-2). This mischaracterization raises questions about the accuracy and intent behind Lee's statements, suggesting a potential effort to frame the narrative in a politically advantageous light.
The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is generally high, with major news outlets like MSNBC and Yahoo News providing detailed accounts of the events and the ensuing reactions. However, the political context surrounding the comments may introduce bias, as both supporters and detractors of Lee have strong motivations to frame the situation in a particular way (source-4).
Conclusion
The claim that Senator Mike Lee faced criticism for mocking the deadly shootings in Minnesota targeting Democratic lawmakers is True. His comments were widely interpreted as insensitive and politically charged, leading to significant backlash from both the public and media. The context of the shootings and the nature of his remarks support the conclusion that his statements were indeed mocking and inappropriate given the circumstances.
Sources
- Sen Mike Lee's comments on Minnesota shootings cause ...
- Republican Sen. Mike Lee peddles misinformation about ...
- 'Truly Disgusting': GOP Senator Slammed For 'Depraved ...
- Senator slammed for posts about Minnesota shooting ...
- MAGA Sen. Mocked for Absurdly Calling Dem Assassin ...
- Minnesota shooting: Senator Lee calls Boelter 'Marxist'
- GOP Senator's Minnesota Assassination Comments Spark ...
