“The incident in Minneapolis on Wednesday was an unfortunate and avoidable tragedy. The investigations will determine exactly what happened, but it doesn’t change that a woman is dead, and I will pray for her family.
“I know the situation is tense and emotions are running hot, but I would plead with all of us to calm our rhetoric. We cannot turn into a tinderbox at every tragedy. If we ever want stability again, we need to be responsible with our tone and show each other grace.
“After Speaker Hortman and her husband were killed, and Senator Hoffman and his wife nearly so, leaders from across the political spectrum, including me, talked about lowering the temperature of our politics. Yet, twice this week I have watched the governor say we are at war with the federal government. This type of inflammatory rhetoric is emboldening people to take matters into their own hands and is putting people at risk. The anti-law enforcement rhetoric is putting people at risk.
“Please do not listen to this incendiary language. If you are upset about a law or policy, you have a right to protest peacefully. Contact your legislators. Write a letter to the editor. Run for office. But remember that the people across from you on the political spectrum are human beings, not monsters. And confronting law enforcement agents or obstructing them while they do their jobs is unacceptable and only creates unnecessary danger for everyone.
“I would encourage us all to remember our better angels in these difficult times.”