Minnesota Governor Tim Walz delivered sharp criticism of Sen. JD Vance in response to comments Vance made regarding the tragic school shooting in Georgia this week. Speaking at an LGBTQ+ advocacy group event, Walz rejected Vance’s claim that school shootings are a “fact of life,” underscoring his belief that such violence should never be normalized.
Vance’s Controversial Remarks
Vance’s comments came after a 14-year-old boy allegedly used a semiautomatic rifle to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Speaking about the incident, Vance said: “I don’t like that this is a fact of life… our schools are soft targets.”
Walz, addressing the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, refuted the notion. “It’s a fact of life some people are gay. But you know what’s not a fact of life? That our children need to be shot dead in schools,” he said, criticizing the GOP’s stance on gun control and their focus on banning books while tolerating dangerous weapons in schools.
Response from the Harris-Walz Campaign
Both Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz have fiercely condemned Vance’s stance. Harris’ spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, accused Vance and Trump of prioritizing the NRA and the gun lobby over children’s safety, framing the debate as a key issue in the 2024 election.
The Trump Campaign’s Defense
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended Vance’s remarks, pointing to Trump’s support for armed security in schools, contrasting it with Harris’ stance on policing.
Walz’s Broader Warning
Walz took the opportunity to warn about the GOP’s Project 2025 plan, accusing Republicans of aiming to demonize the LGBTQ+ community and restrict abortion access. He urged voters to resist these efforts, calling for activism ahead of the 2024 election.
Walz’s personal connection to LGBTQ+ rights was also highlighted during his speech, as he recounted his time as a teacher and adviser to a Gay-Straight Alliance in Mankato, Minnesota.
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