The Tragic Events
Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot at their homes early Saturday morning. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in their Brooklyn Park home in what Governor Tim Walz called a “politically motivated assassination.”
State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times at their Champlin home and are expected to survive after surgery.
The shooter impersonated a police officer, wearing official-looking gear and driving a vehicle with police lights. When officers arrived at Hortman’s home around 3:30 a.m., they found what looked like a police SUV with emergency lights on. The suspect exited the home and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot.
There is good news, thankfully.
DFL State Senator John Hoffman and his spouse are out of surgery and are expected to survive.
Continue to keep them in your prayers for a full and speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/YKzt44C9NC
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) June 14, 2025
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This attack strikes at the heart of our democratic system. Regardless of party, elected officials should not fear for their lives because of their votes.
Governor Walz said:
“We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint. In the state of Minnesota, and as recently as last week, in the most closely divided state legislature in the country, we sat down, shook hands and compromised, and we served the state of Minnesota together.”
The timing has drawn attention because it comes just days after a controversial vote. Hortman was the sole Democrat to vote with Republicans to remove undocumented adult immigrants from Minnesota’s state health program, MinnesotaCare. This vote was crucial in a tied legislature where every vote mattered.
The Healthcare Vote Context
The Minnesota Legislature voted Monday to strip health care coverage from adult undocumented immigrants after more than five hours of debate. The chamber is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, so at least one DFL member had to cross over for the bill to pass.
Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy struck a deal with Republicans to balance the budget and avert a government shutdown.
Murphy said:
“I made an agreement. I gave my word. I will vote for this, but it’s one of the most painful votes I’ve ever taken.”
HOLY CRAP! Rep. Melissa Hortman sounded absolutely TERRIFIED while speaking to the media after she voted NO on healthcare for illegals
She was just ass*ssinated this morning.
She knew she’d end up as a target in one form or another.
pic.twitter.com/ynud2YgRND— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 14, 2025
The change is expected to save $56.9 million in the 2026-27 budget period. Republicans said removing the coverage was about costs, not being uncaring. Over 20,000 undocumented immigrants had enrolled in the program, more than expected.
What Critics Are Saying
Democratic lawmakers called the bill “cruel” and “inhumane,” saying it would “cost real human, Minnesotan lives.”
Rep. Athena Hollins said:
“For a group of folks who proclaim to be pro-life, this is the least pro-life piece of legislation I have ever seen.”
Despite Democratic control of the state Senate, governor’s office, and half of the House, Republicans forced Democrats to roll back one of their signature accomplishments from the 2023 legislative session.
The Investigation Continues
Officials say a manifesto with the names of other politicians, including U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, was found in the suspect’s vehicle. The Minnesota State Patrol urged the public to stay away from planned “No Kings” protests because flyers for these events were also found in the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect is described as a white man with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants. A manhunt is ongoing.
Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution. pic.twitter.com/7hFccnrQUT
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) June 14, 2025
What This Means Going Forward
This attack shows how dangerous political tensions have become. When lawmakers fear crossing party lines, our system suffers. Hortman showed courage in voting her conscience on a budget deal, even when it meant going against her own party.
President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have both condemned the violence. Trump said anybody involved will be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law” and that “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
What Conservatives Can Do
Support law enforcement as they work to catch the suspect. Condemn political violence from all sides. Remember that our founders designed a system where we settle differences through debate and votes, not bullets.
Contact your representatives to ensure they have proper security. Political violence threatens everyone who serves in government, regardless of party.
Most importantly, continue to engage in the political process peacefully. When good people step back from public service because of threats, only bad actors remain.
The attack on these Minnesota lawmakers should remind us all that democracy requires both courage and civility. We can disagree strongly on policy while still respecting the people who serve.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
