Conservative commentator Scott Jennings on Thursday misrepresented Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) clear call for peace, claiming that the governor “believes he is seceding from the Union,” and online critics pounced on Jennings’ “unfathomably stupid” reaction.

Minnesotans have been protesting since local resident Renee Good was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer last week. President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy the U.S. military against American citizens.

Walz hoped to ease local tensions Thursday with a reassuring post on X.

“State investigators have been on the scene in Minneapolis,” the governor wrote. “I know you’re angry. I’m angry. What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. But Minnesota will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community and of peace. Don’t give him what he wants.”

It’s unclear whether Jennings intentionally misinterpreted the post when he shared it, writing, “‘Minnesota will remain an island.’ Walz couldn’t be more explicit: This buffoon thinks he’s seceding from the Union. We’re in Insurrection Act territory.”

Jennings wasn’t always a devout Trump supporter. He called Trump “authoritarian” in a 2016 op-ed and said live on CNN after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot that Trump “clearly violated his oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.”

Since then, he has made a significant turn and regularly defends Trump in heated debates on CNN. While Jennings has frequently been criticized on social media as a result, critics seemed angrier than ever Thursday about his indifference to rising tensions in Minnesota.

Scott Jennings appeared to support Donald Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.
Scott Jennings appeared to support Donald Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.

Scott Olson via Getty Images

“What’s the matter?” asked one

Another wrote: “Absolute shit muppet. Talk about an obvious and intentional misquote.”

Meanwhile, Bulwark’s White House correspondent Andrew Egger argued that Jennings was “obviously lying” on purpose.

While his true motivations remain unclear, Jennings was the subject of ridicule and condemnation from critics on social media, including The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait and Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.).

Walz said “an island OF DECENCE,” but Scott left out that part.

This guy is CNN’s human nerf, they keep him around so everyone can feel good about immersing themselves in him. But honestly, they have to let it go. https://t.co/DutW6jRqdZ

– Tom Bonier (@tbonier) January 15, 2026

Walz: “Minnesota will continue to be an island of decency, justice, community and peace.”

Jennings: Walz is *explicitly” calling for secession https://t.co/hxZ9irq29Z

– Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) January 15, 2026

“Walz can’t be”??? Are you threatening violence against a sitting governor, Scott?

(See how fucking stupid what you’re doing is and how easy it is to betray you?) pic.twitter.com/Ql0tNZHA9n

– Jessiah (@thepondering_) January 16, 2026

States have sovereign authority to investigate criminal activity within their borders, you clown.

– Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) January 15, 2026

promoting authoritarian state propaganda again, eh?

-huntigula (@huntigula) January 15, 2026