
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 ― reportedly armed and carrying a manifesto targeting “many lawmakers and other officials” ― Lee fired off a series of messages on X, formerly Twitter.
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.
Another post included an image of the suspect in a mask knocking on a victim’s door just before one of the shootings, which left two dead and two injured before Boelter was arrested Sunday night.
“Nightmare on Waltz Street,” Lee wrote, likely a reference to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).
Lee’s critics called him out over the message ― and some called for his resignation:
Truly disgusting behavior from a United States Senator https://t.co/KHvEdIVxdr
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) June 15, 2025
This is as ugly a tweet you’ll get from a politician after the murders of two people and others shot. @SenMikeLee should be forced to resign. Unacceptable doesn’t come close to describing this behavior. https://t.co/mjTfI71dqZ
— Henry Lake (@lakeshow73) June 16, 2025
I know you’re too far gone @BasedMikeLee, but you should realize how gross this is and delete it. https://t.co/pgzFQ1ohCU
— Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) June 15, 2025
You should resign.
— Timothy Bellman (@Timothy_Bellman) June 15, 2025
Grow the hell up. https://t.co/y9J2KOXH00
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) June 15, 2025
When there’s political violence in western democracies it’s traditionally treated as a somber event for everyone to come together. That’s disappeared. The victims were gunned down just over a day ago and a US Senator is mocking the event and hinting at a deranged conspiracy. https://t.co/EO7pbWI8ng
— Lee Fang (@lhfang) June 15, 2025
The surgery to remove your sense of shame was a success. Congrats, I guess. https://t.co/OKyfCa0r0L
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 15, 2025
Hard to figure out how to deal with the fact that so much of this country has become brain-rotted by Trump and Internet algorithms to the point where they are completely detached from reality and have zero sense of basic empathy or compassion. Incredibly grim stuff. https://t.co/HDlSzs6OTJ
— Brett Meiselas 🇺🇸🦅 (@BMeiselas) June 16, 2025
Yesterday, a Trump supporter went on an assassination spree targeting Democrats.
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) June 15, 2025
Today, a GOP Senator mocks their murder.
This isn’t politics — it’s depraved moral rot. https://t.co/ezLNVf50g7
When our elected leaders no longer care about political violence, we shouldn't be surprised when there is more political violence. https://t.co/VGFeBxgSMv
— Max Burns (@themaxburns) June 15, 2025
You were brokenhearted about Trump winning the nomination in 2016 and voted for Evan McMullin but now here you are mimicking the lamest incel MAGA trolls. Whatever broke inside your brain, I hope you get help for it. This is just sad. https://t.co/Mq1vhjNQS3
— Sarah Rumpf 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇦 (@rumpfshaker) June 15, 2025
If a Democratic senator posted a meme fantasizing about the assassination of, say, Greg Abbott or Ron DeSantis, Republicans would have the expulsion vote queued up for noon the next day and at least a couple of Democrats would vote for it. https://t.co/SXor09QmUa
— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) June 15, 2025
I know we do this all the time, but imagine if a Democrat did something like this after Steve Scalise was shot or after Trump's assassination attempt? https://t.co/iIVNzXaKQM
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) June 15, 2025
Absolutely disgraceful.
— Mike Young 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱🟧 (@micyoung75) June 15, 2025
you're not just crazy you're disgusting https://t.co/A0GZXCjNoB
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 15, 2025
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Mike Lee is a garbage human being mocking the assassination of two people by a man who is also in the Trump cult.
— The Darkest Timeline Numbersmuncher (@NumbersMuncher) June 15, 2025
Delete your account, seek help, and reflect on the life decisions that had led you to this radicalized place. https://t.co/OEmnrQUI0b
Mike Lee’s transformation from a principled, policy-driven lawmaker into a desperate shitposter should be studied. Not the first time a middle-aged nerdy guy morphed into a teenager online after getting a taste of internet fame. Sad to watch. https://t.co/fKNrEOYAKn
— Billy Binion (@billybinion) June 15, 2025
What the actual fuck is wrong with you? Your a goddamned disgrace to Utah and America. https://t.co/XNYk9eTKMo
— BadgerStew (@BadgerStew) June 15, 2025