government
Walz defends vote to pardon convicted sex offender
By Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
Gov. Tim Walz is defending his vote to pardon a man convicted of molesting a 10-year-old child more than 20 years ago.
Last week, the Trump administration deported Tou Lue Vang despite a pardon approved by Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson in t...
Key takeaway Tim Walz is defending his vote to pardon a man convicted of molesting a 10-year-old child more than 20 years ago.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The controversy surrounding Governor Tim Walz's vote to pardon Tou Lue Vang has sparked a heated debate about the role of the Board of Pardons in Minnesota. Walz's decision to grant clemency, along with Attorney General Keith Ellison and Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, has been criticized by the Department of Homeland Security, which argues that the pardon was an attempt to prevent Vang's deportation. However, the fact that Vang was deported despite the pardon raises questions about the effectiveness of the pardon in achieving its intended goals. In Minnesota, where community safety and rehabilitation are key concerns, the pardon process is under scrutiny. The Board of Pardons' consideration of victim support in its decisions, as seen in the Vang case, highlights the complex and nuanced nature of these decisions. As the state grapples with the implications of this pardon, Minnesotans will be watching to see how the Board of Pardons navigates similar cases in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gov. Tim Walz is defending his vote to pardon a man convicted of molesting a 10-year-old child more than 20 years ago.
Last week, the Trump administration deported Tou Lue Vang despite a pardon approved by Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson in t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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