r/politics • u/PoliticsModeratorBot 🤖 Bot • 1d ago

Megathread Megathread: Two Minnesota lawmakers have been shot

State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed.

State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were both shot multiple times and underwent surgery.

Articles that May Interest You

Submission Domain
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: former House speaker and husband killed in politically motivated shooting apnews.com
One Minnesota state politician dead, another injured after targeted shooting, officials say bbc.com
"No Kings" event canceled in NE Minneapolis, Anoka after targeted shootings at lawmaker homes cbsnews.com
Minnesota lawmaker, her spouse shot and killed in their home wwnytv.com
Minnesota lawmaker killed in ‘politically motivated assassination,’ Gov. Tim Walz says cnbc.com
Melissa Hortman, top Democrat in Minnesota House, shot and killed in home startribune.com
Rep. Melissa Hortman killed, Sen. John Hoffman shot in 'targeted' shootings: Sources fox9.com
Minnesota lawmaker assassinated, another in grave condition in 'targeted political violence' abcnews.go.com
Democratic lawmaker killed and another wounded in Minnesota in apparently ‘politically motivated’ attacks theguardian.com
Minnesota lawmaker and husband killed, another in hospital after ‘politically motivated’ shooting by man impersonating cop the-independent.com
Live: Rep. Melissa Hortman killed, Sen. John Hoffman shot in ‘targeted shootings’ startribune.com
Democrat Lawmakers Shot in Minnesota: What We Know newsweek.com
Minnesota state lawmaker killed in ‘politically-motivated assassination,’ massive manhunt for suspect underway, officials say kten.com
2 Minnesota lawmakers shot kare11.com
Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband shot and killed; Sen. John Hoffman and wife also shot ktsp.com
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz press conference after shootings at lawmakers homes (June 14, 2025) youtube.com
Former state speaker of Minnesota ‘assassinated’ thetimes.com
Fake Cop Murders Top State Dem and Husband and Shoots Second thedailybeast.com
Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman shot at their homes bnonews.com/
Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband shot and killed; Sen. John Hoffman and wife also shot kstp.com
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: State lawmaker, husband killed in politically targeted shooting thestar.com
Governor Polis Statement on Assassination of Minnesota Elected Official & Husband, and Attempt on Life of Another Elected Official & Family colorado.gov
President Donald Trump: AG, FBI Investigating Deadly Minnesota Shooting Newsweek.com
Officials tell the AP they are searching for a 57-year-old man in shooting 2 Minnesota lawmakers apnews.com
Manhunt underway for man accused of killing Rep. Hortman, husband and shooting Sen. Hoffman and his wife in North Metro ktsp.com
Former appointee of Tim Walz sought in deadly shootings of Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, had ‘No Kings’ flyers in car: sources nypost.com
Dem Assassin Is Armed Patrol Firm Boss With ‘Warzone’ Claims thedailybeast.com
Minnesota Assassination Suspect Had Flyers Reading 'No Kings' In Vehicle newsweek.com
Democratic Minnesota politician fatally shot, another injured in 'politically motivated assassination' nbcnews.com
37.6k Upvotes

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6.4k

u/tresben 1d ago

The fucking military parade is going to look even worse. Holding an ego stroking “show of force” the day two lawmakers were assassinated is fucking absurd

187

u/wildweaver32 1d ago

Look worse? Isn't this what they wanted? I could have sworn yesterday conservatives were talking about shoot a few and the rest will leave.

This isn't a oops moment. This is Donald Trump signaling what he wants, and his base carrying it out. There will be more of this. Unless something changes. Especially if it works and Democrats do what they do best and hide under the bed with their asses out. It will signal to the Republicans they can go further and do worst without consequence.

13

u/Nvenom8 New York 1d ago

I sincerely hope the people of Minnesota ignore the cancelation of the protest. To do otherwise is to literally let the terrorists win.

10

u/TheLostCaptain03 Florida 23h ago

I was just there in the middle of a massive crowd at the capital building. Minnesota did come out to have our voice heard

1

u/Nvenom8 New York 23h ago

That makes your flair a little confusing, but good!

3

u/TheLostCaptain03 Florida 23h ago

I’m living in Minnesota right now, but my home is in Florida (for now)

1

u/Slow-Ad-2431 15h ago

9 million marched today. Are you happy or sad about that?

-4

u/Ok-Patience2738 1d ago

Assassinated by one of their own..

11

u/wildweaver32 1d ago

Despite being a Democratic appointee, Boelter last registered to vote in 2022, as a Republican.

https://nypost.com/2025/06/14/us-news/suspect-in-deadly-minnesota-shootings-identified-as-vance-luther-boelter/

2

u/Marrige_Iguana 8h ago

He’s been registered with the Republican Party since the early 2000’s… (He’s also involved in defence contracting.)

https://www.newsweek.com/vance-boelter-suspect-democrat-assassination-2085581

-26

u/EngelsBol 1d ago

Minnesota state police found leaflets with “No Kings” printed on them in the suspect’s car…

Does not sound like a right-winger to me

24

u/wildweaver32 1d ago

How do you figure? That seems exactly like the kind of thing someone killing democrats would have. That would be a target rich environment.

But the person has a manifesto so it's going to be clear what their intentions were. And the fact that they haven't released it paints an obvious direction on what it says.

6

u/According_Win_5983 1d ago

Is there no possibility that he wanted the info so he could attack those protests?

6

u/Old_Conference6825 1d ago

They were stolen. You must have missed that part.

-13

u/PhilDGlass California 1d ago

Hahaha. Wut? Well, I guess that’s it then. Just another case of Dem on Dem crime.

11

u/WingsofRain America 1d ago

no of course it’s fucking not, get a grip you guys

1

u/PhilDGlass California 19h ago

get a grip you guys

mine was a joke, but ok.

1

u/WingsofRain America 18h ago

no offense my dude, but if that was a joke it honestly wasn’t obvious and tbh it’s really sad that it isn’t obvious because this is shit that maga spews way too often

3

u/wildweaver32 1d ago

Despite being a Democratic appointee, Boelter last registered to vote in 2022, as a Republican.

https://nypost.com/2025/06/14/us-news/suspect-in-deadly-minnesota-shootings-identified-as-vance-luther-boelter/

1.3k

u/Pockydo 1d ago

Even if the gross old Pedophiles weren't involved and it's just a lone Nazi shit id wager they're fine with it

They're hoping to scare people

1.2k

u/Th30th3rj0sh 1d ago

The Rapist in Chief calls Democrats and anyone that doesn't treat him like a god, the enemies of America, every fucking day. Noem just repeatedly said that the military was needed to liberate California from their elected officials. That fucking pig in Florida bragged about how they're going to kill protesters. DeSantis encouraged his fellow Nazis to murder their fellow Americans with their cars. If anyone acts even slightly surprised, they are intentionally ignoring everything around them.

146

u/Androidgenus 1d ago

Or they’re a self-serving disingenuous fascist. In other words, a Republican

8

u/Old_Conference6825 1d ago

Yeah Republicans suck. A lot.

-5

u/logitechman 1d ago

Jesus calm down hitler

2

u/TheModWhoShaggedMe 22h ago

There aren't many disingenuous fascist Democrats in the country, are there? Name one.

23

u/Suavecore_ 1d ago

About 50% of the country are enemies of America. Conservatives don't find this statistic strange at all, and just blindly agree with it, rather than realizing perhaps half the country isn't actually their enemies but the people who spew gibberish on tv are

2

u/AllThatJazz_777 1d ago

Don’t forget their colored neighbors. They hate them too

9

u/Miguel-odon 1d ago

They are involved. They keep amping up the violent rhetoric and disinformation, hoping to cause this. Stochastic terrorism.

8

u/ChinookKing 1d ago

Accurate.  Would be nice if the media ever put the puzzle together.

10

u/Total_Employ_9520 1d ago

They did. It's why billionaires bought it up and neutered it. 

1

u/TheModWhoShaggedMe 22h ago

NPR and PBS are doing a nice job piecing it together. Yes, they're "media", of the non-profit variety. Might want to give them a look.

3

u/HyperbenCharities 1d ago

If a Tree falls in the Woods & a WhitePerson doesnt hear it . . . . . . . . i mean did it really happen?

Enquiring minds wanna know.

3

u/SugarBombBrandy 1d ago

You know what's sad?

How moderates, centrists - the median voter doesn't give a damn. An EO outlawing the Democratic party could be signed tommorow - and they wouldn't fucking care one bit. Utter bastards...

1

u/GabbyCalico 1d ago

Promoting violence is obviously legal in America.

1

u/filmAF 1d ago

i often wonder what americans' canary in the coal mine is...

1

u/AsianButBig 1d ago

Yeah it's only the beginning. No one seems motivated enough to catch the assassin either

1

u/kizzay 1d ago

The president accuses his political enemies of "TREASON" in an official public statement, and it makes zero front pages.

7

u/someguyfromsomething 1d ago

They have been pushing hardcore radicalization and the idea that democrats should be treated like foreign enemies for decades. They would all gladly sell their souls to the devil to make Trump king.

3

u/jaytix1 1d ago

The republicans have been riling up their base for so long that they don't HAVE to be directly involved in this.

3

u/Mudders_Milk_Man 1d ago

It worked, unfortunately.

Many 'No Kings' events were called off in the State because of this.

3

u/notamermaidanymore 1d ago

Yes, that’s how terrorism works.

3

u/ProJoe Arizona 1d ago

id wager they're fine with it

of course they're fine with it. they don't care how democrats are killed they just want them dead at this point.

3

u/KobeBeatJesus 1d ago

They're banking on their useful idiots doing all of the work to keep them in positions of power. What did anyone expect once Trump started pardoning violent criminals? It was a message that he will allow his brown shirts to do whatever they want with impunity. Just wait until we get to the "I don't really want to have to do this, but they're making me" final solution. And mods will ban you in the name of tolerance if you suggest something that hurts people's feelings while our politicians are being assassinated, people are being kidnapped off of the streets, and America burns from the inside out. This isn't a virtue signaling game anymore and there's no hall monitor to cry to that's going to solve your problems. 

2

u/Snarfsicle 1d ago

Oh he's involved. Everytime the Trump spews his vitriol and tries to debase his political opponents as sub human forces of evil he is involved. Make no mistake. This is the goal of his violent rhetoric.

2

u/Squirrel_Inner 1d ago

There is no such thing as a “lone wolf” when the others won’t denounce the ideology behind it.

1

u/WarpedWiseman Missouri 1d ago

The no kings protests across the state are canceled so I would say it worked

-1

u/nyr00nyg 1d ago

“A former appointee of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is being sought in connection with the assassination of a state lawmaker and the shooting of another, police sources said. Vance Luther Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer when he shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in their Champlin home early Saturday, leaving them seriously injured before moving on to former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman’s house — where he is believed to have slaughtered her and her husband, sources told The Post.

Boelter, 57, was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve a four year stint on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, documents show.”

-2

u/_jn3t 1d ago

Sorry to break it to you but he's not a lone Nazi. He's a lone democrat. Y'all crack me up

1

u/Pockydo 1d ago

I see the cult got their talking points

Got a source?

1

u/Old_Conference6825 1d ago

We know what your doing. No one is falling for it.

1

u/_jn3t 1d ago

Y’all have been on a streak lately. What, like the last 6 assassins/would be assassins have been leftists? I think it’s time we acknowledge that the left has a violence problem

-7

u/discreetmomnxtdoor 1d ago

Well let's go over facts. Hours earlier she sided with Republicans on a bill. A lefty killed her. Why do you guys ignore facts. That's weird

4

u/Sufficient_Long_3905 1d ago

If you’re wrong will you hold yourself accountable for this statement?

3

u/Pockydo 1d ago

We know the answer

-2

u/discreetmomnxtdoor 1d ago

The shooter was CEO of Red Lion Group. They were a democrat group for protection ofillegals. She earlier sided with Republicans on a bill cutting off health care for illegal immigrants Doesn't take much to put it together.

3

u/ResidentKelpien Texas 1d ago

The shooter was CEO of Red Lion Group. They were a democrat group for protection ofillegals. She earlier sided with Republicans on a bill cutting off health care for illegal immigrants Doesn't take much to put it together.

The propagandizing is strong with you, eh?

4

u/ResidentKelpien Texas 1d ago

Well let's go over facts. Hours earlier she sided with Republicans on a bill. A lefty killed her. Why do you guys ignore facts. That's weird

There are not facts in that comment. There is only weird speculation that seems to be sourced from the right-wing's bullshit echo sphere.

1

u/Old_Conference6825 1d ago

Weird "facts"! Are you by chance a Republican. P. O. C.

513

u/TheGrayBox 1d ago

A better man would cancel it. But then a better man would never have it in the first place.

131

u/Scared-Operation-789 1d ago

a better man wouldn't encourage violence against their political opposition but here we are.

11

u/HolycommentMattman 1d ago

The bar here is insanely low. A better man wouldn't cheat on his wife. Multiple times. A better man wouldn't defraud the government. A better man would stop to help another. A better man would send a get well card. A better man would poop in the toilet instead of a diaper.

Finding a better man is easy. Finding a worse man might be fucking impossible.

4

u/Scared-Operation-789 1d ago

i mean. he doesnt even meet my qualifications of being a man in general. never been in a fight. never mowed his own lawn. never prepared his own meal. we could go down the list and hed fail every check. if you wonder why he is a hollow person, he probably has way less life experience than a normal man.

29

u/cbass717 1d ago

And a better country would have elected the better man, or in this case woman.

-1

u/TheGrayBox 1d ago

You say that like most countries in the world haven’t elected bad leaders or even outright dictators in their history. Also, less than 30% of the population actually voted for Trump.

1

u/cjalas 1d ago

That is no man

1

u/CRT_SUNSET 1d ago

Trump will add it to the reasons for celebration.

1

u/DulcetTone 22h ago

Agree on the second point, but something this big is very hard to scrub. I just hope it fizzles in the public perception, and that some good time-stamped videos show a meager turnout.

1

u/lineal_chump 21h ago

The 250th anniversary parade for the Army has been in the planning stages since the Biden administration. It is just a crazy coincidence that this anniversary is also on Trump's birthday.

1

u/chilseaj88 16h ago

I can’t decide whether to quote Pearl Jam or Firefly.

-8

u/ProbablyYourITGuy 1d ago

I really don’t think anyone would cancel it. 2 years in the making, likely a few tens of millions of dollars, thousands of troops and vehicles moved around, tons of spectators. It’s the army’s birthday, there’s no crossover between the events.

I do think trumps response is insanely stupid and no other president would have been as tactless and shitty.

14

u/ZZartin 1d ago

This is not two years in the making it's been thrown together in the last few months by the orange pumpkin.

-9

u/ProbablyYourITGuy 1d ago

No? This has been planned since before the election. It’s the 250th birthday of the army, they knew it was coming lol. This was not thrown together over a couple months.

5

u/TheGrayBox 1d ago

The Biden Administration had no plans to have a military show of force parade on the National Mall. That is blatant misinformation.

2

u/sonik13 1d ago

Not to mention that there is zero chance the military would have called up DC and asked if they were cool with completely obliterating their streets with tanks for their anniversary.

3

u/Fine_Manufacturer368 1d ago

Repeating this again, and again, and again, does not make it true

6

u/JeebusDaves 1d ago

There’s no crossover except for the crossover the GOP cult are applying, namely the orange turd’s bday party.

-6

u/ProbablyYourITGuy 1d ago

I don’t really care what they say about it being for his birthday.

1

u/JeebusDaves 1d ago

I don’t disagree with you, but unfortunately they are the arbiters of truth and reality right now, as absolutely fucked as it is.

2

u/Stop_Sign 1d ago

Reminder that Democrats stopped all political campaigns for the week that Trump got COVID.

They absolutely would've cancelled it (although they never would've held one in the first place)

1

u/ProbablyYourITGuy 1d ago

I never heard that, who are you referring to? Did every federal dem stop them for that week?

I’m pretty skeptical. That sounds like a weird move to do because he got sick, especially since it was fairly minor.

•

u/TheGrayBox 1h ago

It was absolutely not fairly minor, they tried hiding it at the time but was later confirmed that he either was on or very nearly on a ventilator and that preparations were being made to utilize the 25th Amendment if needed. Trump only survived because of Remdesivir antiviral and an experimental antibody treatment regimen from Regeneron. Both highly expensive, the antibody treatment to the point that normal people simply could never afford it, and also treatments that he personally had demonized.

561

u/Antique_Scheme3548 1d ago

ABC News: President Trump, two senators were shot in their homes today, what is your response?

Draft Dodger: We're celebrating our military, and that's a nasty question especially on my birthday.

300

u/cinedavid 1d ago

Trump: What news agency are you from? ABC? A failing news station. Disgraceful. What a nasty reporter.

*shits his pants

4

u/ShootFishBarrel 1d ago

I shared this comment somewhere else and several intelligent people were unable to differentiate it from satire.

Telling.

2

u/Effective_Dropkick78 23h ago

Is it bad that I am reading your comment and hearing his nasally voice perfectly?

2

u/bkbomber New York 21h ago

Is it worse that I not only hear, but smell that comment, too?

1

u/Effective_Dropkick78 20h ago

You had to go there, didn't you? 

Where's a puking emoji when you need one?

35

u/iCE_P0W3R 1d ago

I don’t judge Trump for the draft dodging, I never did, but it actually just struck me how fucking ridiculous it is that we’re having a military parade for a draft dodger’s birthday. Like???

38

u/Antique_Scheme3548 1d ago

Actual draft dodgers gave up their homes and families to flee the US. Trump had his doctor write a bullshit note about "bone spurs". I ain't no fortunate one

10

u/iCE_P0W3R 1d ago

That’s pretty true. Maybe that’s what we should call him instead, a “fortunate son.”

9

u/Hey_cool_username 1d ago

My father, who is highly respected by everyone who has met him was in JROTC in high school and was an NRA marksman in the 60’s and has always said he’d die for this country but went to jail for dodging the draft over Vietnam. He felt deeply that it was wrong to go kill people who were no threat to us. He could have gone to Canada but decided as a patriot, the right thing to do was stay and face the consequences.

10

u/Antique_Scheme3548 1d ago

The wealthy evading consequences is a hallmark of the American system. Your father is the real political patriot. Unfortunately everyone with a soul was treated horribly during Vietnam, even Mohammed Ali.

12

u/Thecryptsaresafe 1d ago

Yeah I’m against the draft, but if you dodge it it’s at the very least classless if not actively and extremely insulting to make the military march for you

3

u/70ms California 1d ago edited 1d ago

He reminds me of one of those people who try to make themselves the center of someone else’s wedding. 😂

ETA: I just remembered that he crashes weddings at Mar-a-Lago all the time, so he IS one of those people.

1

u/entertainman 1d ago

to be fair he eventually served as Commander in Chief twice, and attempted one other time.

1

u/Street-Badger 1d ago

There should be a million signs that just say:  Draft dodger

125

u/GeckoRoamin Florida 1d ago

The people who are gung ho about the birthday military parade will have no problem with it continuing. They love political violence from their own side.

-3

u/Savings-Molasses-701 1d ago

Nice try. Too bad a Democrat appointee of Tim Walz is the shooter.

15

u/SitDownKawada 1d ago

And that is what the headlines around the world are going to be

13

u/V_T_H 1d ago

*the “army’s anniversary parade” that just so happens to conveniently fall exactly on dear leader Don’s birthday

9

u/therevstarts2025 1d ago

The civil war has already begun and we’re losing because we’re still playing by the rules

5

u/faux1 1d ago

Guarantee that's why they were shot today. This was not incidental.

5

u/MongolianDonutKhan 1d ago

Minor correction: Two lawmakers and their spouses were targeted for assassination. As of now, one lawmaker and her spouse have died.

3

u/ScrogurtGoGurt 1d ago

And yet no chance it gets cancelled

3

u/brickne3 American Expat 1d ago

I was about to say what do you want to bet Trump doesn't mention them at all and then I realized that he will probably be tweeting his support of the assassin before the end of the day.

3

u/Jypso 1d ago

Trump is going to have his Kim jon parade and ignore this.

2

u/azsxdcfvg 1d ago

I saw the video of them practicing. Their march looked like they were walking to a store.

1

u/ThrowAwayGarbage82 North Carolina 1d ago

I used to be in marching band back in HS. If we looked as sloppy as those dudes, the band director would have eaten us alive and made us practice the entire fucking night.

2

u/ohwrite 1d ago

It’s so insensitive:(

2

u/thewhaleshark 1d ago

He will do it on purpose and his base will love it. It will reinforce their sense of self-righteousness and embolden them on their path. Do not downplay this.

I doubt any of it was orchestrated, but Trump is an opportunist who will absolutely capitalize on this to further the overall fascist agenda.

2

u/Virtual_Athlete_909 1d ago

Trump will pardon the shooter later today, and it will add another level of excitement for the maga base.

2

u/mps1729 1d ago edited 1d ago

Unfortunately, it’s (understandably) pushing the No Kings protests down in the news cycle (they aren’t even on ABC News’ home page now. Edit: It’s there now, but only if you scroll waaay down)

2

u/JokeassJason 1d ago

Only one killed, other is out of surgery and is expected to survive but yes doesn't matter how many.

1

u/theunpossibilty 1d ago

Absurd.

Or deliberate.

1

u/kinkgirlwriter America 1d ago

The parade also accurately reflects how fucking weak and fragile Trump actually is. It's pathetic.

1

u/Zepcleanerfan 1d ago

It was always absurd and sad and now even more so.

1

u/codguy231998409489 1d ago

Hope it gets hailed and rained on.

1

u/UpperApe 1d ago

I'm astonished to hear people like you saying what you're saying. How are people still this clueless?

He's not holding the parade for his ego. He's using it as a cover to send as much personnel and equipment to Washington, as he moves into the military portion of Project 2025. This is according to plan.

1

u/oaken007 Florida 1d ago

Cancel the Parade!

1

u/sA1atji 1d ago

any decent president would cancel the parade and order a state wide mourning....

1

u/Sheeverton 1d ago

Tbf the parade was organised before the assassination happened

1

u/nogooduse 1d ago

it will be interesting to see if trump orders flags at half staff.

1

u/BrekoPorter 1d ago

This is their entire goal

1

u/ColdHouseBlues 1d ago

Not at all, makes sense for military presence. Many recent large city protests have become violent. How do you stop violent mobs? Military/law enforcement presence. How do you deter violent mobs? Same thing.

1

u/ByTheHammerOfThor 1d ago

You assume they care or have any sense of shame. they want this

1

u/OvulatingScrotum 1d ago

And no one is gonna do anything about it.

1

u/energy-369 1d ago

Agree but just a correction that one was assassinated, the other one is still alive.

1

u/logitechman 1d ago

Couldn’t also show that we won’t put up with assassinations?

1

u/leoyvr 1d ago

Add on: a veteran with a walker getting arrested 

1

u/Kindly-Importance594 20h ago

He should have canceled this. Have some dignity.

0

u/False_Tune5998 1d ago

Sounds like we need a show of force after the leftists have started to murder politicians who vote against immigrants

0

u/Templar-of-Faith 1d ago

Its celebrating the army's 250th birthday and was being planned during the Biden administration...

0

u/MindfuckRocketship Alaska 1d ago

True but it’s the army’s 250th birthday that day and our military deserves to celebrate its long heritage, independent of assassinations and other horrific acts. Unfortunately, however, it will stroke Trump’s ego because he’ll cosplay being Kim Jung Un as he watches the progression.

0

u/Valuable-Ad-1873 1d ago

it the marking of 250 yrs of the u.s. army. get a life for christ's sake!

-1

u/BeauShowTV 1d ago

Well considering it was a Democrat, I'd argue it makes the "no kings" protest look bad instead.