Rep. Walter Hudson: Democrats are playing political theater on guns

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is playing the “Wizard of Oz,” projecting power while hiding behind a curtain of political theater. After the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed and at least 21 others, mostly children, were injured, Minnesotans needed unity and reflection. Instead, Walz has exploited this tragedy for political gain.

Rather than fostering healing, Democrats and gun-control groups like Everytown mocked “thoughts and prayers,” ignored the shooter’s ideology and pushed gun-control fundraising within hours. Walz escalated this by announcing a special legislative session to pursue extreme gun-control measures — ones so radical they failed even when Democrats controlled both chambers two years ago. He’s made it clear he’s not seeking Republican collaboration, demanding “tough votes” to score points for 2026 elections.

This is a sham. The Minnesota House is evenly split: 67 Republicans, 67 Democrats. Rules negotiated after the 2024 elections require bipartisan agreement for any bill to advance. Committee co-chairs and caucus leaders must align or bills die. In a special session, every bill restarts — drafted, introduced and vetted anew. Without prior consensus, nothing passes.

A faster path exists: A supermajority of 90 votes can suspend rules for immediate floor consideration. But with our 67-67 split, this requires crossover support Walz hasn’t pursued. If he were serious about protecting children, he’d negotiate with all caucuses to secure a signed agreement before calling a session. Instead, he’s orchestrating chaos — random motions and doomed bills — for political optics.

This isn’t incompetence; it’s calculation. Walz’s focus isn’t Minnesota’s safety but power. His camera-ready announcements, followed by afterthought outreach to Republicans, reveal his intent: a stunt, not a solution. Using dead children to force divisive votes is reprehensible.

Republicans face a dilemma. Some call for a boycott, frustrated by Democrats’ past antics and the insult of traveling to St. Paul for Walz’s charade. But we take our roles seriously, unlike those who shirked work. As a Republican legislator, I won’t play along. I’ll call out this theater on the floor, undeterred by Democrats’ procedural interruptions. The truth — our moral high ground — exposes their low.

Minnesotans deserve better than illusions. In today’s more informed and sophisticated electorate, we see through Walz’s smoke and mirrors. Real solutions address mental health, criminal accountability and community safety — not performative politics. Let’s demand leadership, not grandstanding.