Former reality star Spencer Pratt publicly attacked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on X after Walz defended a pardon for Tou Lue Vang, a man convicted of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old. Pratt's post was widely amplified by conservative politicians and commentators. The pardon was issued June 10 by the Minnesota Board of Pardons (the governor, attorney general and chief justice); federal authorities later moved to terminate Vang's U.S. status and removed him from the country. Fox News Digital sought comment from Walz's office.
Spencer Pratt Slams Gov. Tim Walz Over Controversial Pardon of Convicted Child Rapist
Pratt and Walz
Former reality TV star and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt sharply criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on X after Walz defended a pardon granted to a convicted child rapist. Pratt's post went viral among conservative commentators and elected officials who echoed his condemnation.
Spencer Pratt on X: "If you find yourself defending a child molester, saying: 'WE can't be judged by OUR worst day', you probably need to have your hard drives checked."
(Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Pratt's comment responded to video footage of Walz speaking about his vote on the Minnesota Board of Pardons. In the clip, Walz questioned whether the deportation of Tou Lue Vang by federal authorities made the United States safer or improved stability for the victims left behind.
Gov. Tim Walz: "Did that make us any safer? Did that make the children that are left behind any more stable? Did it improve the idea that we can't all be judged by our worst day?"
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives for a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2026.
The June 10 pardon was issued by the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which is composed of the governor, the state attorney general and the state chief justice. The board granted clemency to 42-year-old Tou Lue Vang, who had been scheduled for deportation.
Vang was convicted of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl between 2002 and 2004. After his arrest, authorities reported that he made comments suggesting a cultural justification for sexual relations with minors. Following the clemency decision, federal authorities moved to terminate Vang's legal status in the U.S., and he was ultimately removed from the country.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt speaks with the media outside Don Antonio's restaurant in Los Angeles, California, on June 2, 2026, the day of California's primary elections.
Conservative politicians and commentators amplified Pratt's criticism online. Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer wrote on X that he agreed with Pratt and called Gov. Walz "a disgrace to Minnesota." Representative Nancy Mace and Florida congressional candidate Tim Wilkins also posted forceful rebukes.
Pratt has increased his political activity since finishing third in the Los Angeles mayoral primary and recently posted a photo of a meeting with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, writing, "I will never stop fighting for my community," which has fueled speculation about future political plans.
Note on reporting: Some original reports mentioned the involvement of other officials in resolving Vang's immigration status; public accounts agree that federal authorities ultimately handled deportation. Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Walz's office for comment. Peter D'Abrosca of Fox News Digital contributed reporting to the original story.
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