Outrage Erupts After Paper Defends Tim Walz's Pardon of Child Rapist

A political storm erupted over the weekend after a columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune praised Governor Tim Walz for pardoning a foreign-born child sex offender.

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The state's Board of Pardons, consisting of Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, voted unanimously on June 10 to grant clemency to Tou Lue Vang. Vang, a Laotian national, was convicted in 2006 for repeatedly assaulting a young child over a two-year period and faced impending deportation.

In a column titled "Cheers to Gov. Tim Walz," writer Rochelle Olson commended the governor for sticking by his decision to grant clemency. Olson omitted details regarding the victim's young age and the repeated nature of the assaults, though she noted a letter from the victim supporting Vang's petition.

Olson drew sharp criticism after comparing Vang's crimes to the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. According to online critics and political figures, drawing such an equivalency was deeply offensive and misplaced.

"The Minnesota Star Tribune is cheering on Tim Walz protecting an illegal alien monster who raped a 10 year old girl," wrote House Majority Whip Tom Emmer on X. "No one should read this depraved rag."

A spokesperson for the newspaper defended the column, stating that the publication regularly features a broad spectrum of political opinions and noting the pardon received unanimous board support.

Despite the pardon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on July 10 that federal authorities had revoked Vang's status and deported him to Laos. "Vang has now been removed from our country and will never pose a threat to any American ever again," Rubio said.

Following the deportation, Walz defended his stance, asking if removing Vang truly made the community safer or improved the chance for human redemption. His remarks have done little to quiet the growing outrage.