That is, until this past week. His posts, after the June 14 fatal shooting of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, incensed Lee's colleagues, particularly senators who were friends with the victims.

Editor’s note: As of Tuesday, two of Sen. Mike Lee’s posts about the suspect in the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman no longer appeared on his personal X account.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, removed posts on his personal X account about Saturday's fatal attack on a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband after he faced fierce backlash from Democrats.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Lee has in recent years become one of the Senate's most prolific social media posters, his presence seen in thousands of posts, often late at night, about politics.

Lee has since deleted the posts but has yet to apologize. Minnesota's two Democratic senators confronted Lee last week, and one of them, Tina Smith, said he seemed “surprised” to be called out.

FILE – Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during the confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 16, 2025.

FILE - Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during the confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 16, 2025.