House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the highest-ranking Republican in Minnesota, has criticized his state’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz for prioritizing transgender policies over addressing mental health and gun control issues in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school. The attack, which left two children dead and several others injured, has sparked intense political debate over the role of state policies in public safety.
Emmer, who spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, accused Walz and his allies of exacerbating the problem in Minnesota by focusing on transgender issues instead of tackling the root causes of the shooting. “Tim Walz and the people around him, they’re not trying to solve this. They’re just exacerbating the problem, and they’ve been exacerbating it over the last several years,” Emmer said.
The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, who was originally known as Robert Westman, claimed to be transgender and reportedly struggled with his identity. Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have noted that Westman’s actions may have been influenced by his sense of alienation from his trans identity. The incident has reignited debates over the impact of state policies on public safety and the role of mental health in such tragedies.
Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Walz has not publicly commented on the shooter’s identity or his actions, focusing instead on expressing condolences to the victims and their families. “Students deserve to start the school year full of hope and excitement. No child in America should go to school apprehensive of danger, of losing a classmate, of gunshots during prayer,” Walz said on X after the shooting.
Despite the governor’s focus on safety and healing, the shooting has become a focal point for political polarization, particularly across party lines. Rep. Emmer’s criticism highlights the growing tension between lawmakers who believe in the importance of addressing both public safety and social policies, and those who argue that these issues are deeply interconnected and require a more holistic approach.