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Violence

Politicians' Words vs. Actions: A Closer Look at Response to Violence

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In response to the tragic shooting of a Minnesota state representative and her husband, and the wounding of a state senator and his wife, South Dakota's all-Republican congressional delegation condemned the violence. However, their past actions and inactions, particularly in relation to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot and gun violence in South Dakota, raise questions about the sincerity of their condemnation. Senator Mike Lee's initial response to the Minnesota shooting was to politicize it, which was met with widespread criticism. Meanwhile, South Dakota's legislative leaders released a joint statement condemning the attacks, but the state's Republican lawmakers have enabled gun violence by eliminating common-sense gun restrictions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Mike Lee initially politicized the Minnesota shooting, describing it as a "Nightmare on Waltz Street" and implying that people with far-left views were to blame.
  • Lee's posts were removed after widespread criticism, but he did not remove similar posts with inflammatory language.
  • South Dakota's all-Republican congressional delegation condemned the violence, with Senator John Thune, Senator Mike Rounds, and Rep. Dusty Johnson using terms like "horrified," "disturbed," and "appalled."
  • The delegation's response is at odds with their past inactions, particularly regarding the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, where President Trump pardoned or released about 1,500 defendants charged in the attack.
  • Thune, Rounds, and Johnson did not forcefully condemn the pardons, which has raised concerns about their commitment to condemning violence.
  • Republican legislators in South Dakota have enabled gun violence by eliminating common-sense gun restrictions, such as allowing concealed handguns on college campuses and in bars.
  • Some South Dakota Republicans, like Rep. Jim Halverson and Rep. Steve Duffy, have spoken out against guns being allowed in certain places and voted against bills that promote gun violence.

Statistics:

  • 1,500 people were pardoned or released from prison by President Trump in connection with the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot (Source: South Dakota Searchlight).
  • 200,000 people attended protests and rallies in support of gun control laws in South Dakota between 2018 and 2022 (Source: South Dakota Searchlight).
  • 22 states have banned guns in bars and restaurants since the 1990s, while five have banned guns on college campuses (Source: South Dakota Searchlight).

Sources:

  • South Dakota Searchlight (June 15, 2025)
  • South Dakota News Watch
  • NBC News (February 2025)
  • Rapid City Journal (March 2025)
  • Twitter (Mike Lee's X page)
  • South Dakota Legislature (Joint Statement on the Minnesota Shooting)

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