'Grounds for expulsion': GOP senator accused of 'mocking' the murder of two Dems

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

June 15, 2025 4:45PM ET


U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), an ally to President Donald Trump, is in hot water over a social media post. Lee on Sunday took to X and posted a photo of a man accused of posing as a police officer and shooting two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses.

Along with the image, Lee confusingly wrote, "This is what happens When Marxists don’t get their way." The comment seemingly contradicts a statement by the alleged shooter's best friend, who suggested the suspect is a strong supporter of the president. The statement didn't sit well with numerous notable political experts and observers.

Podcast host Brett Meiselas said, "For a U.S. senator to be posting fake information like this after Democratic lawmakers were just shot is just so beneath contempt I don’t even know where to begin." "In a normal world this would be grounds for expulsion or censure at minimum but we live in hell so," he added on Sunday.

Conservative anti-Trump activist Rick Wilson said, "The surgery to remove your sense of shame was a success. Congrats, I guess." Democratic pollster Matt McDermott said, "Yesterday, a Trump supporter went on an assassination spree targeting Democrats. Today, a GOP Senator mocks their murder."

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/grounds-for-expulsion-mike-lee/?utm_source=superhead

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Sen Lee & right wing got a faux narrative embedded before all the facts came out and still carry it

They heard Walz appointed the guy to some small time advisory commission, almost ceremonial only in impact. So they thought Aha! He and the Democrat are big pals. Then they read that one of the victims, a D, had voted against the Democrats to block immigrants from accessing health care and they all said Aha! he's knocking Ds off who didn't toe the line. Then the photocopied No Kings paper confirmed it for them. Aha! a marxist looney! They knew it from the beginning!

But it came out that 1) He had last registered as a Republican, 2) He said a bunch of pro-tRump things to his roommate, 3) all the hit list targets were all pro-choice, 4) all were Democrats, and 5) He was anti-progressive (example anti-LGBT) pastor in his own evangelical church movement.

But their narrative was set and even now most maga think the media is pulling a fast one and lying calling him pro-tRump.

Hence Sen Lee thought he was on solid ground Sunday. But he was stupid and shameful.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. There was a #6 that I saw yesterday too

where Walz's predecessor, Mark Dayton, had originally appointed the guy to that Commission and Walz merely reappointed him.

[TommyT139]

3. And a number 7...immediate political consequences?

His first two chosen victims seem targeted because their deaths would put the state legislature into Republican hands. As it stands, the balance of power in the state senate may have been switched; I don't know what the process is after the loss of a state senator.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. I remember mentioning in another thread

that the MN state Legislature is almost equally divided, with the DFL only having a 1-seat majority in each chamber.

Here in PA, we have that same situation with our state House where (D)s have a 1-seat majority (and the past couple years, we kept losing (D)s to resignations or deaths and got into an endless cycle of special elections).

Here is MN's process for vacancies - https://www.leg.mn.gov/leg/faq/faq?id=80

[progree]

6. In the last session, the MN state house was tied 67-67. The Senate has a one seat DFL majority

I don't know how they count the state house now, but they are done for the year (including the usual after-session special session they have to pass the budget) unless something really unusual comes up where the governor calls a special session, I don't recall that ever happening.

Thanks for the link

Here is MN's process for vacancies - https://www.leg.mn.gov/leg/faq/faq?id=80

[BumRushDaShow]

8. I had checked that "trusty" source

Wikipedia yesterday out of curiosity, to see what the split was and saw the 34 (DFL)/33 (R) for the Senate and scanned too quickly for the House (where it is 66 (DFL)/ 67 (R) with a vacancy in there). I'm surprised you all have it like that so that there could be a tie.

[progree]

11. "I'm surprised you all have it like that so that there could be a tie."

It was decided by the wise elders of a bygone era

# There will be an odd number of Senate seats (good, no ties possible unless vacancies)

# Each Senate district shall be divided into TWO equally-sized House districts, so House seats = 2 X Senate seats.

Well guess what. 2 X an odd number is an even number, drat!. (2 X an even number is also an even number).

[BumRushDaShow]

12. LOL

I suppose it might also "encourage" bipartisanship - something that is an anachronism in modern times!

[progree]

19. Another quirk of our state legislature comes to mind. When are elections held for the state senate?

Answer: "026", that is years ending in "0", years ending in "2", and years ending in "6".

So, for example, 2020, 2022, 2026, 2030, 2032, 2036, 2040, ...

So a 2 year gap followed by two 4 year gaps, and repeat.

Another one decided by the wise elders of a bygone era.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. PA is not as convoluted

but does have state Senate elections with 1/2 of the districts (even-numbered districts) all up during the same election cycle and the other 1/2 (odd-numbered districts) all up in the following cycle. But with the Senate terms being 4 years, they did at least keep both sets of elections happening during "even years".

[IbogaProject]

14. They are out until January

The seats will be filled during the November election.

[TommyT139]

16. Thanks to you both

Glad there's not an added emotional hit in this sad mess.

[progree]

4. The "Walz appointee"

Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:46 AM - Edit history (1)

How right-wing influencers spread lies about Minnesota lawmaker's assassination | Opinion by J. Patrick Coolican, Minnesota Reformer, 6/15/25

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/how-right-wing-influencers-spread-lies-about-minnesota-lawmaker-s-assassination-opinion/ar-AA1GKcwI

Once law enforcement sources began revealing a suspect, right-wing influencers ran with an insignificant detail: That Vance Luther Boelter was a “Walz appointee.”

Like many states, but even more so here, Minnesota is home to hundreds of nonpartisan and bipartisan boards and commissions, which are composed of thousands of people who typically win the appointment by simply volunteering. There are currently 342 open positions on Minnesota boards and commissions. Boelter was appointed to the Workforce Development Council by Walz’s predecessor Gov. Mark Dayton and reappointed by Walz.

It was the equivalent of calling a Sunday school volunteer an “appointee of the bishop.”

No matter, the Murdoch media machine, specifically the New York Post, had their headline: “Former appointee of Tim Walz sought….”

Cernovich had his greasy foil hot dog wrapper and began constructing a hat:

“The Vice President candidate for the Democrat party is directly connected to a domestic terrorist, that is confirmed, the only question is whether Tim Walz himself ordered the political hit against a rival who voted against Walz’s plan to give free healthcare to illegals.”

Walz had no such plan. He had signed an agreement to end eligibility for undocumented adults.

My emphasis

Much more about the ending of undocumented adult immigrants' eligibility for MinnesotaCare (Minnesota's version of Medicaid) is in the beginning of the article.

=============================================

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/keep-your-doors-locked-minnesota-attack-suspect-s-vehicle-found-live-updates/ar-AA1GKiV2 ==

In 2019, Walz named Boelter and dozens of others to his Governor’s Workforce Development Board,

My emphasis

[question everything]

20. I hope that Walz will sue them

[progree]

23. Is Ann Rest your state senator? She is mine . . . Also Boelter visited a state rep's home who lives in Maple Grove

Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2025, 05:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Chilling details emerge in Minnesota shootings as Vance Boelter faces federal charges: 'Stuff of nightmares', ABC News, 1218p 6/16/25
https://abcnews.go.com/US/minnesota-lawmakers-shooting-suspect-vance-boelter-due-court/story?id=122882740

. . . ((After shooting the Hoffmans -P)) At 2:24 a.m., Boelter allegedly drove to a state representative's house in Maple Grove, Thompson said. That lawmaker was not home as she and her family were on vacation, Thompson said, and Boelter left the scene. Boelter then allegedly drove to a state senator's home in New Hope and parked on the street, Thompson said. ((there's only one state senator living in New Hope that I know of -- Ann Rest, DFL New Hope -P))

At 2:36 a.m., after learning of the shooting at Hoffman's home, New Hope police dispatched an officer to the New Hope lawmaker's house, Thompson said. When the officer arrived, she saw Boelter's car parked down the block and she believed Boelter was an officer dispatched to the scene, Thompson said.

The officer pulled up next to Boelter, rolled down her window and tried to speak with him, but he did not respond and stared straight ahead, Thompson said. So the New Hope officer drove to the state senator's home and waited for other law enforcement, and by that time, Boelter had left the scene, Thompson said.

After the Hoffmans were shot, officers proactively went to the home of his fellow lawmaker, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, in the nearby town of Brooklyn Park. . . .

Update:

Source: Sen. Ann Rest, Rep. Kristin Bahner were targeted by accused killer, Kare11, 2 pm CDT 6/16/25
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/source-sen-ann-rest-rep-kristin-bahner-were-targeted-by-accused-killer/89-29ca0a48-6a21-40b5-bbb7-1ecb38bc1f78

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — A source has confirmed the identities of two state lawmakers allegedly targeted by accused killer Vance Boelter.

The two women were among the handwritten names found on a list inside a vehicle used in a deadly attack.

. . . "Video surveillance showed that Boelter rang the doorbell at the state representative's house at approximately 2:24 a.m... he was dressed as a law enforcement officer wearing a tactical vest and body armor, carrying a handgun and a flashlight and wearing that same hyper realistic silicon mask," Thompson shared. "Again, the images, as you can see on the screen are haunting."

Boelter then allegedly proceeded to the residence of a state senator from New Hope, and parked nearby just after 2:30 a.m. Fortunately, New Hope police had been informed of the Hoffman shootings in Champlin and proactively sent out an officer to the lawmaker's home.

. . . early Monday afternoon Rest sent out a statement saying she is aware she was targeted.

"I have been made aware that the shooting suspect was parked near my home early Saturday morning. I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers. Their quick action saved my life," Rest wrote. "I am also thankful for the work of state and local law enforcement to apprehend the suspect before he could take any more lives."

. . . Rep. Bahner has not publicly commented on this new development.

[question everything]

24. No, different district. Still scary

[NCDem47]

7. The old quote goes:

"a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes" -- Mark Twain

Republican standard operating procedure. If there's any hint of a madman's connection to a Democrat, go in for the kill. Quick and often. Use RW media appartus to amplify, amplify, amplify until it has become "fact" in their world.

Reall disgusting.

[Bengus81]

9. Keep this BUMPED UP!

My gawd...............

[timms139]

10. A serious condition

MAGA lack of intelligence has been labeled Magatitis . Early stages of the affliction show as registration as a republican. Midway they start to reject all facts and accusing all their failures on others and always looking toward the past. late stages usually show when an inflicted person loses all rational self guidance and can't think for them self at which point in progression it becomes really hard to treat someone and have them fully recover . late stages are really dangerous as those inflicted want to harm others or rejoice openly when others of differing opinion are harmed or killed.

[Marthe48]

13. rwnj murderers regret they couldn't kill more people

if ever a moderate or liberal takes up weapons, they will regret that it seems to be the only option

Is there any chance that the people who got us to this point will stop the insanity?

[Emile]

15. And the media reports both sides fuel the hate.

[JoseBalow]

17. Shameful

Mike Lee is a piece of shit.

[question everything]

18. Utah? Where a peaceful demonstrator was shot and killed? Look at your own home first

[DallasNE]

22. Not Just That But Utah Is Where

A gunman shot and killed a No Kings protestor on the 14th. Rather than stirring up more trouble, Lee should be working to calm things down. But Lee has a history of making inappropriate comments for imagined political gain. He is one of the worst.

[Clouds Passing]

25. Tactless unempatheic disgrace Mikey Lee

[Chi67]

26. FAFO Mike Lee

Your ass deserves to be removed from office! NOW!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

27. MaddowBlog-Too many Republicans embrace conspiracy theories and misinfo after Minnesota shootings

After the murders, Gov. Tim Walz called for "grace and compassion and vision and compromise and decency." Some on the right chose a different course.

After the murders in Minnesota, Tim Walz called for "grace and compassion and vision and compromise and decency." Some Republicans chose a far uglier course.

Take the increasingly unhinged Sen. Mike Lee, for example. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-16T15:59:22.764Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-sen-mike-lee-peddles-misinformation-minnesota-shootings-sus-rcna213217

As is often the case, the conspiratorial ugliness quickly spread from the Republican base to Republican officials. Commenting on the murders, Sen. Bernie Moreno wrote online, “The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is both stunning and terrifying.”

As HuffPost noted, one of Moreno’s far-right colleagues went even further.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is facing criticism over social media posts mocking this weekend’s deadly shootings in Minnesota targeting Democratic lawmakers. While the suspected killer was still on the run ... Lee fired off a series of messages. ... One suggested the suspect, Vance Boelter, was into “Marxism,” despite reports that he was a religious conservative who had attended rallies in support of President Donald Trump.

In a separate online item, Lee showed a photo of the alleged shooter in a mask, alongside the senator’s message that read, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” in apparent reference to Walz.

Lee then pinned one of his tweets — which read, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way,” referring to the deadly shootings — to the top of his feed for special emphasis.

The obvious problem with garbage like this is that it’s factually wrong: Everything we now know so far about the alleged gunman suggests that he was an anti-abortion Trump voter, not a far-left Marxist......

But let’s not lose sight of the fact that Lee’s trajectory is emblematic of a larger and unsettling pattern.

In the not-too-distant past, the Utah Republican presented himself as something of a conservative intellectual. He withdrew his Trump endorsement ahead of Election Day 2016, and there was even some discussion that the senator wanted to be considered for the U.S. Supreme Court.

But that was before his descent. A couple of years ago, Lee started amplifying weird allegations from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ InfoWars website. Soon after, the GOP senator endorsed baseless Jan. 6 conspiracy theories. In the months that followed, he pushed AI-generated misinformation as if it were real.

Now, as Bloomberg News’ Steven Dennis noted, the Utahn has been reduced to “online trolling on assassinations.”

To appreciate the tragedy of Republican politics in the Trump era, look no further than the devolution of Mike Lee.

[BumRushDaShow]

28. Mike Lee's original primarying of former UT Senator Bob Bennett

was the "first shot fired" in the teabagger war back in 2010. That set the stage for the avalanche to follow.

Now... I expect that he is finding himself in the same position as Bennett and was apparently not as extremist far right enough to satisfy the MAGats.