Conservative commentator Scott Jennings was criticized after he reposted a clipped line from Gov. Tim Walz and accused the governor of calling for secession and invoking the Insurrection Act. Walz's full statement described Minnesota as “an island of decency, of justice, of community, and of peace,” a phrase critics say Jennings stripped of context. Figures including Rep. Jim Himes and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger rebuked Jennings. The post came shortly after former President Trump threatened to consider deploying troops under the Insurrection Act amid protests in Minnesota.
‘Good Lord’: Scott Jennings Roasted For Trimming Tim Walz Quote And Calling Him An Insurrectionist
Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator who frequently appears on CNN, drew sharp criticism after reposting and trimming a message from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and accusing him of effectively calling for secession and invoking the Insurrection Act.
On X, Jennings shared a clipped fragment of Walz's post and wrote: “Minnesota will remain an island” Walz cannot be more explicit – this buffoon believes he is seceding from the Union. We are well into Insurrection Act territory.
State investigators have been on the scene in North Minneapolis. I know you’re angry. I’m angry. What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. But Minnesota will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community, and of peace. Don’t give him what he wants.
Critics quickly accused Jennings of stripping the phrase of its context. In the fuller passage, Walz used the metaphor “island of decency” to urge calm and affirm civic values, not to suggest any move toward secession.
Responses from public figures were swift. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) wrote to Jennings: “This your guy, @CNN? Walz said ‘island of decency’. Shame on you @ScottJennings. I’m sure your grandchildren will thank you for pouring gasoline on the fire.” Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) replied: “He said ‘an island of decency.’ Good lord Scott.”
The timing of Jennings’s post was notable: it came hours after former President Donald Trump threatened to consider invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy troops in response to ongoing protests in Minnesota. Critics said the edited repost risked inflaming tensions rather than clarifying the situation.
Whether intentional or careless, the episode underscores how clipping and reposting snippets on social media can change meaning and escalate political rhetoric. Observers on both sides of the aisle urged accuracy and context when quoting public officials during volatile situations.
Photo credit: Rogelio V. Solis/AP
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