Bob CollinsErik Paulsen, the Third District congressman who represents the area including the Islamic Center, bombed on Saturday, tweeted his solidarity with members of the community.
Outpouring of support for Dar Al-Farooq in Bloomington this evening shows a community is there for them. They are not alone. We are united pic.twitter.com/V1AaPwwrdO
— Rep. Erik Paulsen (@RepErikPaulsen) August 9, 2017
Paulsen’s photo, obviously, included a shot of the crowd at a rally last night to show support. Several area politicians and congresspeople showed up to lend the weight of their office.
Paulsen wasn’t one of them, however.
Does the tweet suggest otherwise?
During the congressional recess, Paulsen is on vacation with his family but has been in contact with the Islamic Center. He plans to visit the Dar Al-Farooq Center when he returns next week.
The image was actually taken by his district director, John-Paul Yates, who tweeted during the event.
On behalf of @RepErikPaulsen, joining hundreds in Bloomington to show of support for Al-Farooq. This is a community united. pic.twitter.com/nzJW2z71Iq
— John-Paul Yates (@JPYates) August 8, 2017
Two hours later, Paulsen’s tweet appeared.
Yates’ tweet sparked a few Twitter replies asking where the congressman was.
So did Paulsen’s tweet.
the phrase you're looking for is:
Radical Domestic Terrorism
— Tim Dwight (@RingTheBellTD) August 9, 2017
So you were there? Because that is what this tweet implies.
— Sarah B (@sbblomquist) August 9, 2017
It's been 10 hours since you posted this, and I still can't get over the audacity. How dare you imply that you were there.
— B. Timmerman (@BTGTimmerman) August 9, 2017
In July, Paulsen took heat from his opponents for not showing up at the Edina Fourth of July parade, shortly after the House of Representatives vote on repealing the Obama health care law. Parade organizers at the time said he was attending a family reunion.
