Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn, Who Wrote Bill To Make ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ An Illness, Charged With Soliciting Minor, Wife Files For Divorce

Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R) has resigned from his position after he was federally charged with allegedly soliciting a minor. Earlier this month, Eichorn made headlines by sponsoring a bill to make “Trump Derangement Syndrome” a recognized mental illness.

This bill defined the disease: “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump. Symptoms may include Trump-induced general hysteria, which produces an inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and signs of psychic pathology in President Donald J. Trump’s behavior.”

Last week, Eichorn was charged with attempted coercion or enticement of a minor, who turned out to be an undercover cop. This felony carries a required minimum sentence of 10 years.

Prosecutors said the former Minnesota senator answered an online ad that was part of an operation targeting sex trafficking by Bloomington police and additional law enforcement. 

According to court documents, Eichorn texted the number posted and asked about the sex acts and the cost. Days after, police arrested him on March 17 during an arranged meeting between himself and the alleged teenager, during which officers discovered $130 in cash and a condom in his car. 

The criminal complaint mentioned that he was alerted of the person’s age in one text exchange.

“It’s [sic] says age of consent is 16,” the former senator responded.

Since the arrest, Eichorn has not made a public statement but sent a short letter signed by him to Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minnesota) and legislative leaders revealing his plan to leave office.

“I am resigning my seat in the Minnesota Senate for District 6 effective immediately,” the former senator wrote in the letter. “I must focus on personal matters at this time. It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate.”

The resignation comes after his colleagues in the Republican caucus stated they would vote to expel him from the chamber if he did not step down. Democrats intended to join them to clear the two-thirds majority hurdle required for expulsion. 

The outcome at the state capitol was swift after Eichorn’s arrest. Senate Republicans demanded that he resign, and so did other lawmakers across party lines in both chambers. The GOP caucus repeated that demand last Wednesday afternoon. 

Later that day, Senate GOP Leader Sen. Mark Johnson stated they would bring forward a motion to remove him during Thursday morning’s floor session.

“The charges that he’s been accused of are so severe, and the transcript, based on the reports, are very damning,” Johnson said to reporters on March 20. “And so even though that has not been done, the expulsion has not been done on the floor before; we felt that the charges warranted that.” 

Eichorn appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins for the first time on Thursday afternoon.

The former senator did not say much during his first public appearance. Elkins read him his Miranda rights and delivered a long list of the conditions of his release once a spot in a halfway house became available.

Eichorn will be monitored via GPS, prohibited from contacting anyone under 18, and barred from computer access.

On March 24, Elkins blocked Eichorn’s release after prosecutors found new allegations that he attempted to obstruct the FBI’s investigation from jail.

In their motion to keep him in jail, prosecutors learned that he arranged with a Grand Rapids woman, known only as Individual A but considered a close associate, to obtain a computer and other items from the St. Paul apartment where he lived alone during legislative sessions.

Prosecutors mentioned that both Eichorn and the woman were warned that his calls from jail were not private and would be recorded.

Eichorn’s profile, which was removed from the Senate website last week, stated that he is married with four children. However, Itasca County court records show his wife filed for divorce on Monday.

“Eichorn’s conduct evidences a willingness to conceal material facts from the Court and to do so at the expense of public safety,” prosecutors mentioned.

They also said that “even more concerning … is the possibility that Eichorn lied” to clear his apartment before law enforcement could search it.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet
• Submit to Reddit
• Submit to Threads
• Submit to Pinterest
• Share to Pocket