The Republican senator from Utah suggested in social media posts that the killings were the work of “Marxists,” and mocked Minnesota’s Democratic governor. He later issued a more sober condemnation of the violence.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee is facing criticism after posting what appear to be jokes about the man police believe shot and killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband Saturday.

Sen. Mike Lee's unfounded claims on social media about the slaying of a Minnesota lawmaker have angered his U.S. Senate colleague from the state.