On Monday, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) took a stand against Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) regarding his remarks that blamed Democrats for the tragic shooting involving a Minnesota senator.
Shortly after voting commenced in the Senate that evening, Smith entered a conference room where Republicans were convening to deliberate on the texts of their major tax proposal.
After a brief moment, she engaged with Lee in an adjacent corridor. They shared a few words before the Minnesota Democrats emerged.
Upon leaving, Smith remarked, “Let me gather myself.” Initially, Lee chose not to comment.
Eventually, she informed reporters that Lee desired her to approach him directly.
Smith articulated, “We often discuss each other in the Senate, and I wanted him to hear it straight from me.”
She noted that “it’s hard to pin down exactly what he said.” In truth, he had little to say, but Lee added, “I was a bit taken aback by how he handled it.”
Lee’s comments infuriated many Democrats when Minnesota House Democrat and former chair Melissa Hortman and her husband pointed fingers after being shot dead in their home over the weekend. The alleged shooter is also implicated in an attack on another state legislator, Sen. John Hoffman (D), and his spouse.
“This is what happens when Marxists refuse to back down,” Lee posted on Sunday on his X account.
He also referred to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), labeling him a “Waltz Street nightmare” alongside a photo of the accused shooter.
These remarks drew widespread condemnation from Democrats. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) described Lee’s comments as “beyond dangerous” and “completely unacceptable.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a close associate of the deceased congressman, voiced her intention to confront Lee before her return to Washington, denouncing his statements.
“I plan to tell him that this is no laughing matter,” she stated.
Source: thehill.com