Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Saturday attacked Ohio Sen. JD Vance for reacting to the Georgia school shooting this week by expressing regret that school shootings are a “fact of life.”
At a Washington, DC, event focused on LGBTQ rights, Walz chastised Republicans who seek to restrict books with LGBTQ themes out of fear they will “turn your children gay.” In criticizing the book bans implemented in some states, Walz referenced Vance’s comments to highlight Republicans’ policy priorities.
“This is what these folks are focusing on, spending all their time, like reading about two male penguins who love each other is — is somehow going to turn your children gay, and that’s what you should worry about,” Walz said during his address at the Human Rights Campaign’s national dinner in Washington, DC.
“It’s a fact of life some people are gay. But you know what’s not a fact of life? That our children need to be shot dead in schools. That’s not a fact of life,” Walz said.
Walz went out to tout his and Vice President Kamala Harris’ record of defending LGBTQ rights while frequently attacking Vance and former President Donald Trump for positions that Walz argued infringe on those rights.
The Democratic vice presidential nominee also attacked Vance over his and Trump’s positions on protecting access to reproductive health care.
“My pro tip to my opponent on the other side is quit talking about women’s childbearing issues. Quit talking about it, because no one cares what your thoughts are on if my family counts or doesn’t,” said Walz, who went through fertility treatments with his wife.
