Politics and Government News

GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir

The state Capitol building in the distance
The Minnesota State Capitol building stands in the distance as a person walks through the Minnesota Senate Building in St. Paul on Feb. 26.
Tim Evans for MPR News

A Republican bill seeking to define criticism of President Donald Trump as a mental illness has stirred up conflict at Minnesota's Capitol. 

Five Republican senators introduced a bill Monday that would designate “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness.

It describes the “syndrome” as Trump-induced general hysteria and “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.”

Democrats quickly criticized the bill as a waste of time and asked that it be withdrawn. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said its mere introduction trivializes serious mental health issues.

A woman stands in front of a U.S. and Minnesota state flag
Democratic Senate leader Erin Murphy listens during a presentation about the latest state budget forecast at the Minnesota Department of Revenue in St. Paul on Dec. 4, 2024.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

“This is possibly the worst bill in Minnesota history,” Murphy said in a statement. “If it is meant as a joke, it is a waste of staff time and taxpayer resources that trivializes serious mental health issues. If the authors are serious, it is an affront to free speech and an expression of a dangerous level of loyalty to an authoritarian president.”

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said “members are free to do as they wish” when introducing bills.

While Johnson is not a cosponsor, he did not say whether leadership supports the bill. He described it as a “tongue-in-cheek”  measure written out of frustration.

A man listens
Republican Sen. Mark Johnson listens during the first day of the legislative session at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Jan. 14.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

“Senate Republicans have always supported mental health funding, trying to make sure that there are resources available for that,” Johnson said at an unrelated news conference Monday. “But I think what you're seeing in our committees has been really they've been railroading our committees by talking about Trump more than they have been talking about the deficit and the problems that we have here in the state of Minnesota.”

The bill’s sponsors are Sens. Eric Lucero of St. Michael, Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa, Nathan Wesenberg of Little Falls, Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids and Glenn Gruenhagen of Glencoe.

As of now, there is no House version.