WASHINGTON – Last night 22 people were killed and many more injured in a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In the hours following the deadly explosion which took the lives of a number of children, half of Minnesota’s congressional delegation took to Twitter in reaction to the attack.
“Heartbreaking images from Manchester tonight. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-MN4) wrote. She was the first of the delegation to respond.
Heartbreaking images from Manchester tonight. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) May 23, 2017
“This is devastating. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims and their families in the aftermath of this awful tragedy,” Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN3) wrote yesterday.
This is devastating. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims and their families in the aftermath of this awful tragedy https://t.co/ax7BpkPy98
— Rep. Erik Paulsen (@RepErikPaulsen) May 23, 2017
“Heartbreaking news coming out of Manchester. Praying for the victims and their families,” Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN5) wrote last night.
Heartbreaking news coming out of Manchester. Praying for the victims and their families.
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) May 23, 2017
Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN6) and Tim Walz (DFL-MN1) voiced their thoughts on social media this morning. Walz’s was the most heavy handed of the bunch, as the gubernatorial candidate issued a defiant statement.
“I condemn the despicable attack in Manchester,” Walz wrote. “Praying for the loved-ones of the victims. Our bond against terror will not be shaken.
I condemn the despicable attack in Manchester. Praying for the loved-ones of the victims. Our bond against terror will not be shaken.
— Tim Walz (@RepTimWalz) May 23, 2017
“I join all Americans in sending our prayers & deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, of last night’s horrific attack #Manchester,” Emmer wrote.
I join all Americans in sending our prayers & deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, of last night’s horrific attack #Manchester
— Tom Emmer (@RepTomEmmer) May 23, 2017
None of the state’s congressional delegation said anything via official Facebook pages, or by press release at time of writing. Reps. Jason Lewis (R-MN2), Collin Peterson (DFL-MN7), and Rick Nolan (DFL-MN8) did not make any statement. Peterson has one less active medium to do so than the rest of his delegation, as he has not sent out a tweet on his account since November 3, 2014.
Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar also have not made a statement as of yet. Klobuchar did publish a press release today, about how Russia may have bought Facebook advertisements to influence the 2016 presidential election. Lewis also sent out a press release regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed budget and the Southwest Light Rail Transit project.
