Fact Check: "Senator Mike Lee stated that 'These hateful attacks have no place in Utah, Minnesota, or anywhere in America' in his official condemnation of the violence following the assassination."
What We Know
Following the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Senator Mike Lee of Utah made a statement on his official Senate account condemning the violence. He stated, "These hateful attacks have no place in Utah, Minnesota, or anywhere in America" (source-1). This statement came after he faced backlash for earlier posts on his personal social media account that were seen as mocking the situation. In those posts, he had made politically charged comments that many interpreted as blaming the left for the violence (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Senator Mike Lee made the statement condemning the violence is supported by multiple credible sources. His official condemnation is documented in various reports, including those from major news outlets like The New York Times and CNN, which confirm that he used the exact phrasing in his statement (source-1, source-4).
However, it is important to note that this condemnation came after a series of controversial posts that many found inappropriate given the circumstances. Critics, including fellow politicians, expressed outrage over his initial comments, which were perceived as insensitive and politically opportunistic (source-1, source-3). This context is crucial for understanding the full scope of Lee's response to the assassination.
The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with The New York Times and CNN being well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The information has been corroborated across multiple outlets, enhancing its credibility.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Senator Mike Lee did indeed state, "These hateful attacks have no place in Utah, Minnesota, or anywhere in America," in his official condemnation of the violence following the assassination. This statement is well-documented across multiple credible sources, despite the controversy surrounding his earlier posts.
Sources
- Mike Lee Draws Outrage for Posts Blaming Assassination ...
- 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators
- Mike Lee outrages Minnesota politicians with social media ...
- Minnesota shootings suspect faces 6 federal charges and ...
- Mike Lee Draws Outrage for Posts Blaming Assassination ...
- Klobuchar criticizes Mike Lee comments about Minnesota ...
- 'This isn't funny': Klobuchar criticizes Mike Lee comments ...
- Members of Congress on edge after assassination ...
