Senator Tina Smith confronted her colleague Senator Mike Lee over his social media posts spreading misinformation about the tragic assassination of state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Smith, deeply affected by the loss of her friend and colleague, emphasized to Lee that his posts disrespected not only Hortman but also all those who grieved her. Opting for a face-to-face conversation to hold Lee accountable, Smith’s direct approach garnered attention, highlighting the rarity of personal accountability in Washington.

By addressing Lee in person, Smith aimed to remind him and observers of the real impact of his words on individuals. She expressed to Lee the pain caused by his posts, which wrongly labeled the assassin as a “Marxist” and shifted blame to the state’s governor. Despite the posts being deleted, Lee did not issue an apology, prompting Smith and her deputy chief of staff to challenge him on his insensitivity and exploitation of a tragic event.

Smith’s public confrontation with Lee received widespread support, with many commending her for speaking up on behalf of those affected by his misleading social media content. While Lee remained silent when questioned by reporters about the incident, Smith urged him to take responsibility, apologize, and clarify the misinformation he shared. The response from local Republican officials in Minnesota, who criticized Lee’s posts and opted for respectful dialogue over spreading falsehoods, provided a glimmer of hope amid the divisive political climate in Washington.