Walz Draws Criticism After Questioning Deportation of Pardoned Sex Offender
Walz said the pardon reflected the victim's support and Vang had already completed his sentence, while federal officials deported him anyway.
- On Tuesday, July 14, Gov. Tim Walz defended the Minnesota Board of Pardons' decision to pardon Tou Lue Vang, a convicted sex offender deported last week, stating the pardon was not intended to prevent his removal.
- Federal authorities announced Friday, July 10, that they had deported Vang, accusing Minnesota officials of attempting to "shield" him while Homeland Security criticized the pardon as an attempt to "take away qualifying convictions."
- Vang was convicted in 2006 of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl starting when he was 18; Walz cited the victim's advocacy and rehabilitation as central factors in the board's clemency decision.
- U.S. House Majority Whip Pete Stauber and Rep. Tom Emmer criticized the governor on social media, with Stauber arguing that removing a "criminal who preys on children" makes the state safer.
- Noting that Vang is at least the third convicted felon with pending removal orders to be pardoned in Minnesota this year, Walz questioned whether deportation actually improves safety or stability for children.
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27 Articles
Tim Walz offers strange defense for pardoning convicted child rapist Trump administration deported – Democratic Accent
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz publicly defended his vote to pardon a Laotian national who had been under a final removal order after losing legal status following a child sex crime conviction of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 10-year-old girl after the Trump administration deported him to Laos last week. Tou Lue Vang, 42, received a pardon from Minnesota’s Board of Pardons on June 10. On Friday, the Trump administration announced Van…
Winona Daily News
La Crosse TribuneWalz questions Trump administration’s deportation of pardoned Hmong man
Gov. Tim Walz said he wished federal immigration officials were “more focused on safety” than talking points after the Trump administration deported a Hmong man who received a state pardon for a decades-old felony sexual assault conviction. Secretary of State…
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