President Donald Trump has made headlines with his remarks regarding the recent violent incidents in Minnesota. Over the weekend, a tragic shooting resulted in the deaths of Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Additionally, state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured in a separate attack. Following these events, Trump stated he would not reach out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom he described as “whacked out.”
Sources close to Governor Walz reported that he spoke with Vice President JD Vance after the shootings but had not received a call from Trump. When asked if he would consider contacting Walz, Trump bluntly replied, “I’m not calling him.” He criticized the governor, saying, “The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. I could be nice and call, but why waste time?”
In response to the violence, Trump expressed his condolences on social media, stating that such horrific acts would not be tolerated in the U.S. He acknowledged the tragedy and offered support to the people of Minnesota.
The suspected shooter, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was arrested shortly after the incidents. Boelter is accused of impersonating a police officer and targeting multiple elected Democrats in Minnesota. He allegedly shot and killed Hortman and her husband at their home and wounded the Hoffmans after confronting them at their residence.
Authorities discovered a "hit list" in Boelter’s vehicle, which included names of several prominent Democrats, including Governor Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Boelter, who was appointed to Walz’s Workforce Development Council in 2019, has been described by his roommate as “very conservative.” He reportedly lived in a home with his wife and five children, while also renting a room in north Minneapolis.
Boelter now faces serious federal charges, including murder and firearms-related offenses. Due to the nature of the charges, he could potentially face the death penalty.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this violence. The tragic events have sparked discussions about safety and political tensions in the state.