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Lawmaker Behind ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Bill Arrested for Soliciting a Minor

Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn, known for co-authoring a controversial bill about “Trump derangement syndrome,” faces felony charges. Authorities arrested him on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Police Sting Operation Leads to Arrest

Eichorn, 40, believed he was speaking with a 17-year-old girl online. Instead, he had unknowingly been communicating with undercover detectives from the Bloomington, Minnesota, police department. When he traveled to meet the supposed minor, law enforcement took him into custody.

Booker Hodges of the Bloomington police department made the department’s stance clear. “If you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, expect to be locked up,” he stated.

Republican Party Calls for Resignation

Following Eichorn’s arrest, Minnesota Senate Republicans demanded his resignation. The party expressed shock over the allegations and urged him to step down. “Justin has a difficult road ahead, and he needs to focus on his family,” the GOP caucus stated. The Republican Party of Minnesota echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the severity of the charges.

Eichorn’s Role in the ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Bill

Just days before his arrest, Eichorn co-authored a bill aimed at defining “Trump derangement syndrome” as a mental illness. This term, frequently used by Trump supporters, suggests that some liberals exhibit extreme emotional reactions to the former president.

The bill defined “Trump derangement syndrome” as “the acute onset of paranoia in response to the policies and presidencies of Donald J. Trump.” Symptoms, according to the proposal, included “Trump-induced hysteria, an inability to distinguish policy differences from pathology, and aggression toward Trump supporters.”

Widespread Criticism of the Bill

The proposed legislation sparked immediate backlash. State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy criticized it as “possibly the worst bill in Minnesota history.” She argued that if the bill was intended as satire, it wasted legislative time. If serious, she said, it undermined mental health issues and free speech rights.

Democrats and mental health professionals also dismissed the bill as political propaganda. They pointed out that labeling political opposition as a mental illness set a dangerous precedent.

Political Fallout and Legal Consequences

Eichorn’s arrest raises significant questions about his political future. With felony charges looming, his ability to serve in public office remains uncertain. The Republican Party’s swift call for his resignation signals a desire to distance itself from the scandal.

As the case progresses, the controversy surrounding both his personal conduct and his legislative actions will continue to unfold. Meanwhile, critics of the “Trump derangement syndrome” bill argue that Eichorn’s legal troubles further expose the absurdity of his recent political efforts.