Mike Lee and Republicans mock Democrats Minnesota killings

The context of Trump and other Republicans “mocking Democrats after a Minnesota lawmaker” is related to the tragic and politically motivated shootings that occurred in Minnesota on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of the situation and the reactions:

The Tragic Incident:

Victims: Minnesota Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were tragically fatally shot in a targeted attack at their home in Brooklyn Park.

Other Victims: Additionally, Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and wounded in a separate but related attack in Champlin.

Suspect: Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who was later apprehended. Police stated he posed as a police officer, used a vehicle made to look like a squad car, and had a manifesto listing other Democratic officials and pro-choice advocates as targets. Boelter’s friends and former colleagues described him as a “strong” supporter of President Donald Trump and holding “deeply religious and politically conservative views.”

Reactions and “Mockery” from Republicans (and associated figures):

While President Donald Trump himself issued a statement condemning the “horrific violence” and stating it “will not be tolerated,” some other prominent Republican figures and right-wing commentators engaged in rhetoric that was widely criticized as mocking or insensitive, and in some cases, spread baseless conspiracy theories.

The most notable example of this “mockery” comes from Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah):

“Marxists” Claim: Hours after the shootings, Senator Mike Lee posted on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account (@BasedMikeLee), an image of the alleged gunman (Vance Boelter) with the caption, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way.” This tweet was heavily criticized for baselessly blaming “Marxists” for an attack carried out by a reported Trump supporter targeting Democrats, and for its perceived insensitivity given the tragic deaths. Lee had also reportedly tweeted, “Marxism is a deadly mental illness.”

“Nightmare on Waltz Street” Dig: Mike Lee also posted another image of the alleged gunman, captioned, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” which was seen as a cruel dig at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), whose name sounds similar to “Waltz.”

Selective Outrage Accusations: Critics, including Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, widely condemned Lee’s posts, calling them “disgusting,” “depraved,” and questioning his empathy. They pointed out what they saw as Lee’s selective outrage, noting he swiftly condemned a protester’s anti-Trump sign that same weekend while seemingly mocking the violence against Democratic lawmakers.

Broader Republican/Right-wing Commentary:

Elon Musk: Billionaire Elon Musk also weighed in, posting on X, “The far left is murderously violent,” a statement seen by many as amplifying baseless claims and ignoring the alleged perpetrator’s reported political leanings.

False Claims about Suspect’s Affiliation: Some right-wing figures, including Laura Loomer, falsely claimed that the suspect, Vance Boelter, was a participant or organizer of concurrent “No Kings” protests (anti-Trump rallies). This was quickly debunked by law enforcement and the suspect’s known affiliations.

Trump’s dig at Gov. Walz: While Trump condemned the violence, he also couldn’t resist taking a partisan swipe at Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. When asked if he would call Walz, Trump said, “Well, it’s a terrible thing,” but immediately added, “I think he’s a terrible governor. I think he’s a grossly incompetent person.” This remark, made in the direct aftermath of the tragedy, was seen by many as insensitive and prioritizing political grievances over a unified condemnation of violence.

The overall sentiment from critics is that while some Republicans offered standard condemnations of violence, others, particularly figures like Senator Mike Lee, used the tragedy to push political narratives and mock Democrats, despite the alleged perpetrator’s own reported right-leaning views and target list. This has intensified the ongoing debate about political rhetoric and its impact on real-world violence.