A Republican proposal at Minnesota’s Capitol that looks to classify criticism of President Donald Trump as a mental health condition has sparked controversy.
On Monday, five Republican senators presented a bill that seeks to label “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness.
The bill characterizes the “syndrome” as a state of hysteria induced by Trump and “the sudden onset of paranoia in otherwise normal individuals in response to the policies and presidency of President Donald J. Trump.”
Democrats swiftly condemned the bill, calling it a pointless initiative and urged for its retraction. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy remarked that its introduction diminishes the severity of genuine mental health concerns.
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Democratic Senate leader Erin Murphy during a discussion about the latest state budget forecast at the Minnesota Department of Revenue in St. Paul on December 4, 2024.
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“This is arguably the worst bill in Minnesota history,” Murphy stated. “If intended as a joke, it wastes staff time and taxpayer resources, trivializing significant mental health issues. If the authors are serious, it is an insult to free speech and displays an alarming level of loyalty to an authoritarian president.”
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson remarked that “members are free to act on their own” when proposing bills.
Although Johnson is not a co-sponsor, he refrained from confirming whether leadership endorses the bill. He referred to it as a “tongue-in-cheek” initiative resulting from frustration.
Republican Sen. Mark Johnson during the legislature’s opening day session at the State Capitol in St. Paul on January 14.
Ben Hovland | MPR News
“Senate Republicans have consistently supported funding for mental health initiatives, ensuring resources are available,” Johnson stated at an unrelated press conference on Monday. “However, it seems our committees have been hijacked by discussions about Trump rather than focusing on the deficit and critical problems we face in Minnesota.”
The bill is sponsored by Senators Eric Lucero of St. Michael, Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa, Nathan Wesenberg of Little Falls, Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids, and Glenn Gruenhagen of Glencoe.
Currently, there is no corresponding version of the bill in the House.
