GOP senator faced sharp criticism for insensitive post deriding Minnesota senators' shooting incident
Revised Article:
Republican Senator Mike Lee is in hot water over a callous post he made about the tragic shooting of Minnesota senators.
The Utah lawmaker shared a picture on social media of the suspected gunman, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, wearing a mask alongside an unflattering headshot and the caption, "Nightmare on Waltz Street."
The insensitive post came just hours after the fatal shooting of Minnesota Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband John Hoffman, and the attempted murder of Senator Hoffman's wife Yvette.
Lee's post has sparked harsh criticism online, with users labeling it "grotesque" and "a disgrace." Many called for Lee to resign, while others accused him of using the tragedy to push his political agenda.
One user wrote, "Every person with any type of moral compass in Utah should be demanding he resign." Another added, "Mike Lee's post is a shameful exploitation of a violent tragedy, exposing his callous disregard for human lives."
This isn't the first controversial message Lee has shared following the shooting. He also captioned a photo of the masked gunman with, "This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way."
Vance Boelter, a Trump supporter who worked as the director of security patrols for Praetorian Guard Security, was arrested late on Sunday evening and is now facing both state and federal charges for the shooting. He is believed to have been motivated by the senators' support for abortion rights.
Enrichment Insight: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has condemned Senator Mike Lee's actions and expressed that she would speak with him about it when she returns to Washington D.C. Klobuchar mentioned she was friends with the victims. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has also spoken to Lee directly about his post, calling it "brutal and cruel."
Lee's post has fueled a nationwide backlash, with critics blasting him for his insensitive remarks. The incident underscores the sensitivity and outrage surrounding the politicization of tragic events.
- Despite the ongoing controversy, Senator Mike Lee continues to engage in politics, with a recent focus on posting videos on social media.
- Amidst the general-news and crime-and-justice headlines, the sports section remains relatively untouched by the politics surrounding the Minnesota senators' shooting.
- As the nation grapples with the repercussions of the Minnesota senators' shooting and subsequent politicization, many news outlets are monitoring developments in crime-and-justice and general-news segments.
