Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn, a Republican lawmaker who recently co-authored a bill seeking to classify "Trump derangement syndrome" as a mental illness, was arrested for allegedly soliciting a 17-year-old minor for prostitution.
Authorities say Eichorn, 40, believed he was communicating with an underage girl online but was instead interacting with undercover detectives from the Bloomington Police Department.
Upon traveling to meet the individual, he was arrested and booked into custody.
Felony charges and law enforcement response
Eichorn now faces felony charges for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Addressing the arrest, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges issued a firm statement:
“As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up.”
The Minnesota Senate GOP quickly distanced itself from Eichorn, calling the allegations shocking and urging him to resign. The Minnesota Republican Party echoed this sentiment, citing the "seriousness" of the charges.
Political fallout and Eichorn’s controversial bill
Eichorn’s arrest comes just days after he co-authored a controversial bill aimed at classifying "Trump derangement syndrome" as a mental illness. The bill, which drew widespread criticism, defines the condition as:
“The acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.”
It lists “intense hostility” toward Trump and “overt acts of aggression” against his supporters as symptoms.
The proposal was met with bipartisan backlash, with Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy calling it “possibly the worst bill in Minnesota history.”
“If it’s a joke, it wastes time and trivializes real mental health issues. If it’s serious, it’s an affront to free speech and an expression of a dangerous level of loyalty to an authoritarian president.”
Eichorn’s background and next steps
According to his Minnesota Senate biography, Eichorn is married with four children. With mounting pressure from within his party, his political future remains uncertain as he prepares to face legal proceedings.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Eichorn has entered a plea or retained legal representation. The case is expected to proceed in Minnesota’s judicial system in the coming weeks.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ