Reality television personality Spencer Pratt has publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over the governor's defense of a pardon granted to a convicted child rapist. Pratt's remarks, made on social media platform X, have drawn support from conservative politicians and commentators.
Pratt's post on Friday stated, "If you find yourself defending a child molester, saying: ‘WE can’t be judged by OUR worst day’, you probably need to have your hard drives checked." This comment was a direct response to a clip where Walz questioned the effectiveness of deporting the individual, asking if it made the U.S. safer or improved the stability for children left behind.
Several Republican figures have echoed Pratt's sentiments. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, representing Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, posted on X, "Tim Walz has ZERO morals. He is disgrace to Minnesota!" Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina commented, "To think... he was almost the Vice President." Florida Republican congressional candidate Tim Wilkins added, "I didn’t used to understand the phrase, 'bring common sense to DC,' but it becomes more apparent every day that it’s missing at every level of government. This is insanity."
The case involves Tou Lue Vang, a 42-year-old Laotian national who was granted clemency by the Minnesota Board of Pardons on June 10. The board, which includes Walz, State Attorney General Keith Ellison, and State Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, approved the pardon. Vang had been convicted of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and 2004. He had reportedly told authorities that "it is a cultural thing... to marry and have sex with girls as young as 12." Prior to the pardon, Vang was scheduled for deportation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervened to terminate Vang's legal status in the U.S., aiming to prevent the pardon from obstructing his removal by the Department of Homeland Security. Vang was ultimately deported.
Spencer Pratt has become more active in politics on social media following his third-place finish in a Los Angeles mayoral primary. He recently met with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, fueling speculation about a potential future political run. Pratt shared a photo of the meeting on X, captioned, "I will never stop fighting for my community."