Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, is facing widespread backlash following posts about the targeted shooting of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota.
The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was arrested late Sunday following a nearly two-day statewide search. The Saturday morning shootings left State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead, and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
“This is what happens…When Marxists don’t get their way,” Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a photo of Boelter wearing what appears to be a latex face mask.
Newsweek has reached out to the senator’s office for comment by email.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump—as well as several Republicans—has long used the label “Marxist,” or also “communists,” to describe Democrats. Experts who study political messaging have said the term is inaccurate and dangerous as it risks fueling political polarization in the country.
Police said they had uncovered a notebook with an apparent target list naming Democratic officials, abortion providers as well as civic and business leaders, The New York Times reported. A state report in 2016 listed Boelter’s political affiliation as “none or other,” and another report in 2020 listed him as having “no party preference,” according to The New York Times. Voters do not declare political affiliation when they register in Minnesota.
What To Know
Lee also shared another post of Boelter with the caption: “Nightmare on Waltz Street.”
Nightmare on Waltz Street pic.twitter.com/Nkifu7cKPA
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 15, 2025
He appeared to be making a reference to Minnesota governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, misspelling his name.
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a shooting at a home in Champlin, Minnesota, at around 2:05 a.m. local time Saturday. A 911 caller reported that a masked individual had approached their home and opened fire.
Authorities say a masked Boelter posed as police officer as he shot the Hoffmans.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department, having learned of the Champlin shooting, proactively dispatched officers to the home of lawmaker Hortman. At around 3:35 a.m, they witnessed Boelter shoot Mark Hortman through a doorway.
Boelter fled after officers exchanged fire, said police who found the Hortmans dead inside the home.
Boelter’s vehicle and personal belongings were found roughly an hour from where the shootings took place. Police also uncovered a target list naming Democratic officials, abortion providers as well as civic and business leaders
This is what happensWhen Marxists don’t get their way pic.twitter.com/VcZ0XtMiBA
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 15, 2025
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk also drew backlash for attempting to blame the “far left” for the attacks.
“The far left is murderously violent,” Musk wrote on X, as he shared a post that said without evidence that the left “now kills a MN state rep and her husband and injures a Senator and his wife…The left has become a full blown domestic terrorist organization.”
Authorities have not confirmed Boelter’s political affiliation or motive.
In a Sunday press conference, Governor Walz appealed for political unity.
“Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country, and each and every one of us can do it. Talk to a neighbor rather than arguing, debate an issue, shake hands, find common ground,” he said.
Boelter previously served on Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board—appointed by Governor Mark Dayton in 2016 and reappointed by Tim Walz in 2019.
What People Are Saying
The timing and tone of the posts have drawn strong criticism on X:
Dan Pfeiffer, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, said: “Truly disgusting behavior from a United States Senator.”
Brett Meiselas, co-founder of media company MeidasTouch, wrote: “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.”
Journalist Karly Kingsley wrote: “A senator celebrating the murder of political opponents should be expelled. Not debated. Not excused. Expelled.”
Journalist Aaron Rupar said: “This is an egregiously shameful tweet from a US senator.”
What Happens Next
Law enforcement officials say the investigation into Boelter’s motive is ongoing. Governor Walz said Sen. Hoffman has come out of his final surgery and is moving toward recovery.
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