Controversial Pardon by Minnesota Governor

The recent decision by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to pardon Thu Lu Van, a 42-year-old illegal immigrant from Laos convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, has drawn sharp criticism. State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott described the action as “completely inexplicable” during a segment on Breitbart News Daily.

Piggott elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the pardon, explaining that Van had not served any prison time despite his conviction and that his family had not cooperated with law enforcement, leading to his release. Mike Slater, the show’s presenter, pointed out that Walz’s pardon came just as federal authorities were preparing to deport Van, who had lost his legal status due to his crime.

“You’ve got a situation where a man who admitted to crimes is walking the streets, and yet the governor steps in to protect him from deportation,” Slater remarked, highlighting the baffling nature of the pardon.

Piggott emphasized the puzzling nature of Walz’s actions as well, saying, “It’s really inexplicable.” He noted that while Van had legal status in 1994, that status was revoked following his crimes against children. Legal changes under the Trump administration allowed for Van’s deportation, and federal officials moved quickly to act on the deportation order.

“This situation really raises concerns,” Piggott continued. “There’s no obligation to keep someone like him in our country, especially someone who poses a risk to children.” He explained that the rationale for the pardon appeared to focus on removing the reasons for Van’s legal status revocation—despite the gravity of his actions.

Piggott’s comments underscore a growing frustration over the handling of such cases, especially when individuals with a criminal background attempt to evade consequences.