Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) stepped into a political hornet’s nest on CNN’s “The Arena” Tuesday, brushing off a brazen church invasion in St. Paul by claiming that “almost all of the protests and demonstrations that we’ve seen in Minnesota”—especially in Minneapolis and St. Paul—are peaceful. This gem of spin comes amid escalating unrest where protesters stormed a service at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, disrupting worshippers and forcing police intervention. Smith’s downplaying isn’t just tone-deaf; it’s a masterclass in selective amnesia, conveniently ignoring the 2020 riots that torched her state, racking up over $500 million in damages, two deaths, and hundreds injured—hardly the mostly peaceful fairy tale she peddles.

For the 2A community, this is red meat with a side of urgency. Smith’s dismissal reeks of the same elite disconnect that fuels our fight: when protests turn into invasions of sacred spaces or looting sprees, it’s armed citizens—not platitude-spouting senators—who step up to protect life, liberty, and property. Remember Kenosha? Or the armed patrols in Minneapolis during the Floyd riots that kept neighborhoods from total collapse? Her words underscore why self-defense rights aren’t optional; they’re the thin blue line (and red line) between order and anarchy. Politicians like Smith thrive on disarming the law-abiding while excusing mob chaos, betting you’ll forget the AR-15s that deterred worse carnage.

The implications hit hard as midterms loom: expect more Dems gaslighting violence to push gun grabs, framing 2A defenders as the real threat. Minnesota’s battleground status means Smith’s narrative could sway swing voters, but 2A patriots know better—peaceful protests don’t need body armor or barricades. Arm up, stay vigilant, and vote like your church pew depends on it. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s the front line of the culture war.