Senator Tina Smith on Political Violence and Confrontation with Senator Mike Lee

Remembering Melissa Hortman and Mark

• 💔 Senator Tina Smith mourns the loss of her friends, Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were killed in a politically motivated assassination.
• 💡 Hortman is remembered as an intrepid and indomitable legislator who was dedicated to fixing problems, not just discussing them.
• 😔 The attack also wounded friends John and I Hoffman, highlighting the personal tragedy and the broader assault on democracy.

The Rise of Political Violence

• ⚠️ Senator Smith expresses deep concern over the irreversible ramping up of violent rhetoric and action in the U.S., noting a constant escalation since the 2011 attack on Gabby Giffords.
• ⚖️ She criticizes the pardoning of individuals who attacked government operations and assaulted police officers, suggesting a challenging dynamic for the country.
• 🎯 The assassin had a list of other elected officials and community leaders he intended to murder, underscoring the widespread threat.

Confrontation with Senator Mike Lee

• 😠 Senator Smith recounts confronting Senator Mike Lee for posting a picture of the assassin on social media, accompanied by a derogatory joke about the Minnesota governor and a message linking the killings to Marxists.
• 🗣️ She directly addressed Senator Lee about the pain and hurt caused by his posts, emphasizing the large audience his message reached.
• 😔 Despite Senator Lee taking down the posts, Senator Smith notes his lack of personal apology to her or to the victims' families.

Broader Implications and Hope

• 🚨 The incident raises questions about the protection of elected officials, with Smith stating that public service should not be a life-or-death decision.
• 🤝 Smith believes the country is at a tipping point, needing to reclaim civic ground to avoid further violence and chaos.
• 🙏 She expresses faith in the humanity and connection of people, urging them to lift up these qualities and avoid hatred and division.
• 😟 The incident with Senator Alex Padilla, who was handcuffed and thrown to the ground, is cited as another example of how authority can be misused, even against fellow senators.