Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, deleted controversial posts on June 17, after criticizing the assassination of Minnesota lawmakers on social media. The posts, which mocked the shootings and linked the suspect to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, prompted backlash and confrontation by Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.
Smith described Lee’s rhetoric as brutal and cruel, emphasizing that many spent a fearful weekend locked in their homes due to the targeted violence. Lee’s office received an email criticizing the use of his Senate platform to post jokes about the murders, asking if compounding grief was considered success.
The incident underscored rising concerns about political violence and the responsibility of public figures to avoid incendiary rhetoric amid a tense national climate.
