A screenshot of Minnesota state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe) speaking on "The Pastor's Study" show. (Source: PastorStudy on YouTube)

Minnesota state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe) made a series of bizarre, controversial statements earlier this month, including saying that women don’t understand that abortion and pornography causes domestic abuse.

The interview on “The Pastor’s Study” show was an effort to criticize policies being passed by the new Democratic-Farmer-Labor trifecta in Minnesota, like a pro-abortion bill, a recreational marijuana law and a ban on conversion therapy. Pastor Tom Brock, the show’s host, called all of this “radical legislation.” During one portion of the show, Gruenhagen was discussing the issue of domestic abuse, and proceeded to blame women for not “understanding” why it happens.

“Women need to understand that abortion and pornography sends a certain message to men. It objectifies them,” Gruenhagen said. “So, women who care about this issue and women being abused they should look at limitations on abortion and they should also oppose the pornographic sewage which is flooding our society.”

Later in the interview, Gruenhagen went after gender-affirming care and cited the Holy Bible as an example as to why there is a “Satanic perspective on that.” Conversion therapy was another issue Gruenhagen discussed, as the DFL is preparing a bill to ban the practice that involves forcing homosexuals to be straight. Gruenhagen, who has a track record of homophobic beliefs, then went on to criticize the DFL and allege that homosexuals are being groomed for pedophilia by seeking non-religious counselors.

“[The DFL needs] to insert the government into it and prevent the doctor patient-relationship if the person is struggling with some of those behaviors and desires, we want to insert government and say to the counselor or therapist, ‘You cannot try to tell him that what he’s doing isn’t right. You must reinforce his behavior,’” Gruenhagen said. “To a certain degree, you almost believe that these minors are being groomed for pedophilia.”

Gruenhagen was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2010 and made the jump over to the Senate in 2022 to win the District 17 seat. In addition to his questionable social beliefs, Gruenhagen is an avid climate change denier and attended a “Storm the Capitol” rally in St. Paul on Jan. 6, 2021, the same day as the U.S. Capitol riot.