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.
“Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend. A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place. She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota’s thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated.
“We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence – and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.
“To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action. A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. We will not let fear win.”
“As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days. The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility.
“To Melissa and Mark’s family: I cannot fathom your pain, your grief. Let us take solace in their memory, in Melissa’s legacy of selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service. The state of Minnesota grieves with you.
“To John and Yvette: we’re excited to see you at the Capitol, and the bravery you and your daughter Hope showed saved countless lives and will not be forgotten.
“To our law enforcement officers: thank you for your courage, your service, and your professionalism. You have saved lives.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win. We must now move forward in Melissa’s honor with understanding, service, and above all, a sense of one other’s humanity.”
Boelter identified himself on LinkedIn
and other websites as the CEO and president of two security services
companies, Praetorian Guard Security Services and Red Lion Group, the
latter based in Congo, in western Africa. On his LinkedIn page, which
shows that he worked as a general manager at 7-11 in Minneapolis until
2021, he lists himself as open to work.
But in a video dated February 2023, Boelter is seen preaching at La Borne Matadi, an evangelical church in Matadi, near the southern border in Congo. In one sermon he tells the audience that “people don’t know what sex they are” because the devil “has gotten so far into their mind and their soul.”
In another sermon at the church, one of three he gave from 2021 to 2023, according to Wired, Boelter said, “They don’t know abortion is wrong, many churches,” he told the audience. “They don’t have the gifts flowing. God gives the body gifts. To keep balance. Because when the body starts moving in the wrong direction, when they’re one, and accepting the gifts, God will raise an apostle or prophet to correct their course.
He was a hate merchant spewing hate and people like Chump and Vance and the entire administration has been spewing and sewing this hate. They're responsible and they need to be held accountable for their statements. To try to avoid that happening, Mike Lee shows up to lie and distract.
Nut jobs abound and they love to lie and distract. Josh Marcus (INDEPENDENT) reports on the crazy liars:
It didn’t take long for the conjecture to begin after the fatal shootings of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as the non-fatal shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, hit the headlines.
In regards to Hortman, right-wing conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich wondered aloud on X, “Did [Minnesota Governor] Tim Walz have her executed to send a message?”
Fellow fabulist Alex Jones, meanwhile, used a Saturday broadcast to make a variety of unfounded implications, including that Hortman was killed because she was considering switching parties and joining Republicans, and that suspect Boelter was a “high-level” Walz appointee and “No Kings” protest organizer.
Jones capped off the a misinformation session by reading from a social media post from a seemingly random, pseudonymous account that called the shooting a “professional hit.”
Such claims reached thousands of people, even as they defied common sense and all evidence that eventually became available about the shootings.
It's never about what actually happened with these losers. It's about them trying to put into some sort of propaganda model that pushes their lies and justifies their ugly behavior.
They're liars, idiots and damn fools. Don't try to spare their egos. We've given these nut jobs far too many participation trophies for the nonsense they've added to the public discourse. Reality and facts are beyond their comprehension so they need to go back to dealing with nothing more important than Saturday morning cartoons.
Instead of advancing hatred and lies, Utah's Mike Lee might try observing the death of 39 year old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo who was shot dead in Salt Lake City on Saturday. You can check his Twitter feed, you can check is press releases, you will find that while Mike Lee made time to spread lies about Minnesota, he never once took a moment to note his own constituent Arthur Folasa Ah Loo who was shot dead Saturday. That tells you everything you need to know about Mike Lee's priorities.
The nation made clear their priorities on Saturday. You could attend Chump's Oh-come-let-us-adore-me military birthday celebration in DC or you could gather around the country at one of the many No Kings protests.
A few thousands showed up for Chump's birthday. Dementia Donald saw about 10,000 people show up for his parade and b-day celebration. "This was probably the most humiliating day in Donald Trump's whole life," Ben Meidas observes in the video below.
The elderly man, even with his dementia getting worse, was able to grasp that the country turned their back on him and he was left looking like he was about to break out in tears.
The American Civil Liberties Union, a part of the coalition that put on the demonstrations, said in a late Saturday, June 14 statement that more than five million people participated in over 2,100 rallies and protests.
Political organizing group Move On, who was a partner in the "No Kings" rallies, echoed the 5 million person estimate in a fundraising email.
Will Neal (DAILY BEAST) also notes the four to six million turnout for the No Kings protests across the country. It was hugely successful.
A day where America turned out. Marc Levy, Claudia Lauer and Jim Vertuno (AP) report, "Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump, marching through downtowns and small towns, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights." And Pride. Ben Thorp and Jill Sheridan (Indianapolis' WFYI) note:
Thousands of people took to the streets of Indianapolis Saturday as protests and pride collided. The annual Indy Pride celebration and the ‘No Kings’ protest were held back to back and people showed up.
Attendees with signs, costumes, and megaphones at both events chanted “This is what democracy looks like”.
Indy Pride is celebrating 30 years in Indianapolis. The city was also one of roughly 2,000 across the country to mark ‘No Kings Day’ day with protests planned in response to the Trump administration’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
But Indiana 50501 Organizer Scott Johnson said the movement is bigger than that. “This is a generalized protest that is around the idea that what is going on in America today is wrong,” he said.
Johnson, who started by marching in Indy Pride before heading to the statehouse, said the combination of both was important.
"Pride is celebrating this particular avenue of American rights," he said. "50501 is about all the rest of it."
PBS' THE NEWSHOUR reported on the millions turning out today across the nation.
AP offers a photo essay here and NPR has a photo essay here.
They turned out in Nashville. Cynthia Abrams (WPLN) explains, "Thousands gathered at Bicentennial Mall before dispersing to Jefferson Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard, holding signs and chanting call-and-response phrases like 'What do we want? Democracy! When do we want it? Now!'" Sara Streigel tells Abrams, "I came out today because I am just terrified for our country. Seeing the way that ICE is being used to oppress our immigrants and the way that it’s not safe to be a person of color. As a brown woman and a child of immigrants, it’s terrifying to think that the rule of law is no longer in place."
That's Tennessee. Idaho was present. Clark Corbin (IDAHO CAPITAL SUN) notes:
Waving American flags and carrying homemade signs, thousands of people took part in a “No Kings Day” protest Saturday afternoon at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
The crowd covered the Capitol steps, filled the section of Jefferson Street in front of the building and stretched deep and wide throughout nearby Cecil D. Andrus Park as people chanted “No more kings” and “Love, not hate, makes Idaho great.”
Tammie Baker was one of thousands who attended the protest. She carried a homemade sign that read “I prefer my ICE crushed” and said her concern over the Trump administration’s policies motivated her to attend her first political protest since the 1970s.
“There is only one reason,” Baker said. “ Enough is enough of everything. This is out of control.”
Texas showed up. Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Ayden Runnels (TEXAS TRIBUNE) report of McAllen:
Hundreds of people lined up near this border city’s federal courthouse Saturday, waving American flags and holding signs criticizing President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It was a loud scene as anti-Trump chants were often drowned out by drivers honking to show support for the protesters’ cause. Protests, marches and rallies are happening across Texas and the country Saturday in condemnation of the Trump administration’s policies, including its aggressive immigration enforcement, and what many participants consider to be authoritarian actions.
Angeline Garza, a 36-year-old elementary school teacher from Mission, said the protest was a way for her to advocate for the undocumented children and the kids of undocumented parents.
“Now more than ever, [deportations] are affecting a lot of people and they are seeing what the Trump administration wanted to do from the beginning, that it was not just about deporting criminals,” she said.
Michelle Choi (KHOU) reports from Houston:
Thousands of people packed downtown Houston Saturday as part of nationwide ‘"No Kings" protests.
Houston City Hall transformed into a sea of signs and chants. From immigration fears to cuts in federal aid and Medicare and SNAP, protesters rallied against policies they say are hurting working families.
The chants echoed through downtown Houston as a massive, peaceful show of resistance.
Organizers say 26,000 people filled the steps and streets around City Hall.
“So my sign says ‘El pueblo unido jamás será vencido’” said protestor Jacob Torres. “It means if we’re all united, we won’t get defeated.”
Torres came to speak for someone who couldn’t.
“Most of my family is undocumented, especially my mom, and that’s who I’m here for,” he said. “People who can’t stand up for themselves.”
KXAN reports from Austin:
Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, CEO of immigration law firm Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, gave the crowd an update on deportations in Texas.
“State troopers are pulling over immigrants and colluding with ICE to disappear people from their families,” the attorney said. “They want to drive immigrants further underground.”
The children of one of her clients joined her at the podium.
“Their father was taken in a surprise attack,” she said. “They will spend tomorrow (Father’s Day) missing him.”
A chant of “F— ICE” rose from the crowd in response.
Nichole, one of the children, spoke next. She gave a message to the crowd and another message in Spanish, directed to her father.
Melody Tremallo, transgender woman and HOCTX lead organizer, spoke. She referred to herself as “a canary in a coal mine” who is “actively dying.”
“When they came after immigrants and trans kids, there was hardly any push back,” she said. “Fascism withers when we stand up together. We should have stopped them when they were at their weakest, before they could eat the least among us.”
She asked if the crowd would stand up for transgender rights. The crowd cheered back “Yes!”
Tremallo estimated the crowd at 20,000 in her speech.
Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes spoke. Austin Council Members Jose “Chito” Vela & José Velásquez were with her as she gave her remarks. She noted that the three of them represent the Austin City Council’s Latino caucus.
“This response is the most patriotic thing we can do,” Fuentes said. “In America, we don’t believe in dictators, we don’t believe in authoritarianism.”
After Fuentes, Vela and Velásquez both spoke.
A UT Austin student spoke, followed by a veteran involved with grassroots group Common Defense.
“Marines are being used as political tools while our leaders cut funding for Veterans’ Affairs,” the veteran said. A veteran and Native American spoke next.
They turned out in Dallas.
Kelly O'Brien (WMUR) notes Concord, New Hampshire:
Organizers estimated there were between 5,000 and 8,000 in Concord for the peaceful protest.
"I'm hoping that they understand throughout the nation. None of us want this, but none of us wants the chaos," said Elly Henderson.
For hours, up and down Main Street in Concord and on the state house lawn, signs were up in the air, flags were waved and chants echoed in the air, "enough is enough."
People said they are against mass deportations, against attacks on civil rights and don't want to see the military being used against its own people.
In San Francisco?
We were out at Civic Center Plaza by City Hall in the afternoon while earlier we were on the beach. Sam Mauhay-Moore (SAN FRANCISCO GATE) reports:
Hundreds of people gathered at Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Saturday morning to protest the Trump administration by forming a massive human banner.
The banner read, “NO KING!” in reference to the “No Kings” protests taking place on Saturday across the country. The protests coincide with both President Donald Trump’s birthday and his approximately $45 million military parade taking place in Washington, D.C. The parade has been billed as part of a 250th birthday celebration for the Army, though it also fulfills a desire Trump has had since his first term to parade American military might through city streets.
In Los Angeles, Lily Dallow and Vivian Chow (KTLA) report:
A day of peaceful protests in downtown Los Angeles took a turn late Saturday afternoon when law enforcement began ordering the thousands of demonstrators to disperse from the area surrounding the L.A. Federal Building complex.
Officers deployed flashbangs and tear gas, and Sky5 captured the moment officers on foot and horseback moved into the large crowd. The L.A. Police Department reported that some protesters were “becoming increasingly unruly” and that people were throwing rocks, bricks, bottles, and other objects.
The dispersal order covered Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple, and Los Angeles Street between Aliso and Temple. Additionally, the LAPD stated that all on- and off-ramps of the 101 Freeway would remain closed between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway.
NBC Los Angeles' Tracey Leong and Karla Rendon report on Long Beach:
As thousands of demonstrators descended upon Long Beach on Saturday to denounce President Donald Trump’s policies as part of a nationwide movement dubbed the “No Kings” protests, a local family is left reeling after being directly impacted by the president’s administration.
Loved ones of Rosario Gonzalez, 50, say they’re heartbroken after the family patriarch was detained by immigration officers during a raid outside a Home Depot in Whittier. Going against his family’s wishes, Gonzalez went to the Home Depot in search of work since he is the main provider for his family. He was one of several individuals who were detained during the raid.
“I just want to say I love him, and I hope he comes back,” Yamilet Gonzalez, Rosario’s 18-year-old daughter, said. “I know he will, and that we are all waiting for him to be here.”
A tearful Yamilet said if she could, she would reassure her father of the family’s resilience and wellbeing as they navigate through his absence.
“I would tell him I am fine, and that I know once he’ll come back, I will tell him about how my day went and about how my graduation was,” the man’s daughter said. “And I’ll tell him I took a lot of videos so he could feel like he was there, even though he couldn’t be.”
- Protests labeled "No Kings" rallies are taking place across metro Atlanta as part of a national day of action against the Trump administration.
- Other Georgia cities participating include Tucker, McDonough, Fayetteville, Athens, Valdosta, and Woodstock, with events organized by Indivisible, 50501 Movement, and Stand Up America.
- Most rallies were peaceful around the metro, according to FOX 5 crews, but police used tear gas to break up one protest in Doraville. 8 people were arrested there after an "unlawful assembly" was declared by police.
Ross Williams (GEORGIA RECORDER) adds:
Minutes after Atlanta’s “No Kings” protest began Saturday outside the state Capitol, organizers announced that the venue’s 5,000-person capacity had been reached.
[, , ,]
“It fills my heart. I’m so glad that people are here,” said Adam Zarett, an IT professional from Atlanta. “I’m glad to see so many people here standing up for our constitutional rights, making our voices heard. Like John Lewis, good trouble.”
Zarett said he wasn’t much for protests until recently.
“I didn’t even care about politics before Trump came into office the first time, and it stung then, and it is so much worse now,” he said. “It has just ignited a fire inside me that says you can’t just sit behind a keyboard and complain on Facebook all day. That just doesn’t do much. Sometimes it feels good, but it doesn’t do much.”
Now, Zarett says he’ll be back.
“I absolutely will. As many protests as there are, as many gatherings as there are, the people need to be heard,” he said.
Alaska? Elizabeth Harball, Zaz Hollander, Lizzy Hahn (ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS) report:
Thousands of demonstrators jammed sidewalks Saturday in downtown Anchorage, chanting and waving signs in protest of President Donald Trump.
The “No Kings” protest was one of many taking place across the U.S. on Saturday, coalescing around frustration and anger with the Trump administration. The demonstrations were planned the same day as the president’s military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. June 14 is also Trump’s birthday.
Peaceful protests — and counterprotests — were held in a number of other Alaska communities Saturday, including Homer, Sitka, Seward, Fairbanks, Nome and Palmer.
What about Maryland? Tori Yorgey (WBALTV) answers that question:
Thousands of Marylanders joined protesters across the country on Saturday, taking part in "No Kings Day."
Demonstrators converged across Maryland, from the Patterson Park Observatory in Baltimore, to Annapolis, Columbia, Catonsville, Bel Air and more, all in opposition to President Donald Trump's administration.
"We're here specifically today to deliver a message to our
congressman, Andy Harris, that we tolerate no Kings in this country,"
said DeLane Lewis, who is president of Together We Will, a Harford
County organization that led the protest in Bel Air. "This country does
not tolerate kings, our individual voice matters, and that's why we are
here today, because every voice here matters."
The No Kings Protest in Patterson Park saw nearly 5,000 people, according to organizers.
Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola and Celine Stevens (KGW8) cover Oregon and Washington:
Across the U.S., including in the Portland metro area, thousands crowded to peacefully protest President Donald Trump's administration in a nationwide "No Kings" movement Saturday. "No Kings" organizers said millions participated in hundreds of events.
What appeared to be the largest Portland area demonstration at Tom McCall Waterfront Park highlighted recent detainments of asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants; women's and LGBTQ+ rights; the Ukraine-Russia War; Palestine; and Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security cuts as key issues.
Many who attended the Portland and Vancouver rallies spoke out against the administration's treatment of immigrants. Carmen Solorio, who moved from Los Angeles to Oregon, referenced the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and protests happening back in Southern California, with Trump deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines in response.
"It just hurt so much to see my hometown community going through that struggle, and that’s why I knew I had to be here today," Solorio told KGW at the Portland rally.
Pam Maldonado, who was visiting her kids from Florida and decided to join the Vancouver rally, had similar reasons.
“I know somebody personally who has been picked up and is about to be deported there; he’s in a jail in a correction facility now in Arizona and probably will be shipped out pretty soon," Maldonado said. "It’s just the cruelty, the inhumanity... I mean, this is not who we are. I am afraid it is who we’re becoming, but this is not the United States I know.”
Iowa? KCII notes:
On Saturday, thousands of Iowans across several communities joined in on the nationwide "No Kings" protests.
Organizers of the "No Kings" demonstrations, in opposition of President Donald Trump, said millions had marched in hundreds of events nationwide. Governors across the U.S. had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilized the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated.
[. . .]
Thousands of protestors gathered on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol in downtown Des Moines. The crowd chanted and gave speeches to express their dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. Some people tell KCCI they specifically came out for those who could not.
"We're here supporting our families that can't be here; that don't have a voice," said Grace, a protester. "Mainly for my mother because I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents. That's why I'm here today."
Peaceful protests apparently anger MAGA trash which is why one hate merchant attempted to run over and kill in Virginia.
THE USA TODAY's Jonathan Limehouse reports:
Authorities in Virginia arrested a 21-year-old man they said intentionally drove an SUV through the crowd at the town's "No Kings" day event.
Culpeper police officers arrested Joseph R. Checklick Jr., of Culpeper, on June 14, at the conclusion of the demonstration. Participants were leaving the area and crossing through a business's parking lot when an SUV drove "recklessly through the crowd of pedestrians," the department said in a news release.
Culpeper Police charged Checklick with reckless driving, according to the release. He appeared before a magistrate and was ordered to be held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail.
Click here to read FOX NEWS 5 DC's Elissa Salamy's report on Checklick Jr.'s assault on protesters.
Sunday in Los Angeles, a woman has been hospitalized after being run over while she was protesting -- at this point, no one knows if it was intentional or an accident. But we know Checklick Jr. ran his car into people intentionally.
No one wants to point out that Florida's governor was talking on TV about running over protesters mere days ago. Ron DeSantis was saying it was okay. Friday, NBC Miami noted:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on a podcast this week that drivers in Florida who encounter protesters and feel threatened have a right to hit them with their cars.
“If you are driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety, and so if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you," DeSantis said on an episode of the Rubin Report podcast that aired on Wednesday night.
These statements got a lot of attention Charles Rabin (MIAMI HERALD) wrote Friday:
Gov. Ron DeSantis said that drivers will not be at fault if they hit protesters that block roadways in a clip that took social media by storm. Interviewed on a Reuben Report podcast episode released Wednesday, he said “you have a right to defend yourself in Florida.”
[. . .]
As for Jones’ concern about drivers being able to legally mow down protesters, that’s not the case, said Alana Greer, director of the Community Justice Project. What the Legislature did was enable a driver who hits someone during a riot to basically claim Stand Your Ground in a civil lawsuit only.
People need to start being held accountable when they promote violence. That would include Chump and MAGA's inflammatory rhetoric that led a Chump supporter in Minnesota to go on a shooting spree.
But I had to laugh darkly Saturday evening as I saw many conservatives on social media, prominent and not, try to locate an aha! moment in the fact that Vance Boelter, the Minnesota suspect, was appointed to a state advisory board by two Democratic governors. Please. He was targeting abortion providers. His neighbor said he was a Trump voter.
As for violence at the No Kings marches—there was a little. But the most notable instance was the man driving his car into a group of anti-Trump protesters in Culpeper, Virginia. Gee, I seem to remember another man in Virginia who drove his car into a phalanx of protesters, killing one of them. Which side was he on again?
“The left,” very broadly defined, engages in some acts of violence. Sure. But America’s culture of violence is driven by the right. And here’s the important point. This broadly defined “left” includes people and groups that despise the Democratic Party as much as or even more than they do Republicans. Antifa activists weren’t racing to the polls to vote for Kamala Harris, I assure you. Whereas on the right, the extremists worship Trump. He is their avenger. No Democratic presidential candidate would welcome the support of violent extremist groups (not that they would even offer it). Trump has. Repeatedly. They were at the U.S. Capitol for him on January 6, 2021, ready to administer a little street justice to his vice president in his name and in order to keep him in office illegally.
Kat's "Kat's Korner: Garbage shines, Joe Jonas deepens" went up Sunday. The following sites updated:
-
-
-
-
-
The Network: Breaking Bread1 day ago
-
-
Fridge Pickles in the Kitchen1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
