WASHINGTON — The third-ranking House Republican called Thursday for Minnesota to repeal its “trans refuge” law in an exclusive interview with The Post following Wednesday’s deadly shooting targeting Catholic school students in Minneapolis.
“We got to respect everyone. We got to have compassion for everyone. But we got to understand that we’ve got some serious mental health issues that are being exacerbated by these types of messages by people like Tim Walz and everybody who supported that law,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, whose district covers many of the Twin Cities’ outer northern and western suburbs.
“They should immediately repeal it, but they won’t,” Emmer added. “They have been encouraging this type of confusion. This poor young man was tortured. He clearly had serious mental health issues and rather than actually helping him, they were actually exacerbating it.”
The 2023 legislation, signed by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz blocks out-of-state subpoenas, arrest warrants and extradition requests for people who travel to the Land of 10,000 Lakes from other states for sex-reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments.
Critics have also argued the law is written broadly enough to pave the way for parents to lose custody of their children if they oppose transition procedures.
Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, killed two children and wounded 17 others — including 14 youngsters — at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School Wednesday morning before turning the gun on himself.
Emmer also slammed Democratic officials and liberal pundits for criticizing those asking for prayers amid the tragedy.
Here’s what we know about the Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis
“Contrary to what my Minneapolis mayor says,” the lawmaker said of Jacob Frey, “we are keeping all of these families in both shootings and the victims that are involved in our thoughts and prayers.”
Hours after Westman opened fire through the windows of the church while students were praying at Mass, Frey had said at a press conference: “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now: These kids were literally praying.”
“It really is a slap in the face to the victims and their families for the young, immature mayor of Minneapolis to suggest that this is not a time to have thoughts and prayers,” Emmer said. “That’s so inappropriate.”
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