Political Violence Hits Home: Minnesota Lawmakers Left Reeling

Minnesota Shooting Suspect Currently Wanted Vance Luther Boelter /Facebook

Minnesota Lawmakers Assassinated

By Brandon Upson | New Progressive Journal Chief Political Correspondent

We need to stop pretending this is normal. The targeted shootings that left Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette hospitalized, are not random acts of violence. They are a consequence of the political culture that Donald Trump and the MAGA movement have created, one that thrives on fear, division, and treating fellow Americans like enemies rather than neighbors.

Shooting Victims: Left MN Rep. Melissa Hortman Right MN State Senator John Hoffman

According to law enforcement, the suspect impersonated a police officer, showed up at both lawmakers’ homes under the cover of night, and opened fire. He had emergency lights on his car, a badge, a tactical vest, and even carried a “target list” of elected officials. This wasn’t just murder. It was a premeditated political assassination.

“This appears to be a politically motivated assassination,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. “Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends.”

And let’s be clear: this brand of violence didn’t appear out of nowhere. It’s been building for years, fueled by a dangerous blend of conspiracy theories, political propaganda, and relentless dehumanization of anyone who disagrees. MAGA politics has trained people to reject civil debate and instead see political opponents as threats who must be silenced by any means necessary.

The shooter left behind flyers for the so-called “No Kings” protests, which were planned across the state to oppose authoritarian actions by the Trump administration. Law enforcement found these flyers in the suspect’s car, prompting a last-minute warning from the Minnesota State Patrol to avoid public demonstrations “out of an abundance of caution.” Even more chilling? Investigators found a list of other public officials believed to be potential targets.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans confirmed: “The individuals that were targeted in this situation were on that list…a large number of people.” The implication is terrifying: this could have been so much worse. This is the country Trump and MAGA Republicans have built. One where people don’t just argue about politics, they are radicalized to kill over it.

Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a longtime friend of Rep. Hortman, said it best:

“She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion. Melissa’s legacy will endure, but today we grieve deeply.”

Even Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth expressed her horror: “I am shocked and horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight. Please lift up in prayer the victims, as well as the law enforcement personnel working to apprehend the perpetrator.”

And U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi added: “This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Those words are important, but we need more than condolences. We need action. We need accountability for the culture that allowed this to happen in the first place. Let me say this plainly: This is worse than gang violence. Gangs don’t pretend to uphold law and order while encouraging chaos. Gangs don’t have protection from the most powerful seats in America. But MAGA extremists do. They’ve created a political climate where people feel justified in using violence to settle policy disagreements.

We should not be afraid to run for office, speak our minds, or serve the public. But thanks to this toxic brand of politics, too many of us are.

It’s time to draw a hard line not just against the individuals who pull the trigger, but against the political forces that radicalized them. Every pundit, politician, and influencer who pushes this hateful ideology must be held accountable.

Because if we don’t stop this now. Suppose we don’t root out this violent political sickness. More lives will be lost. More families will be destroyed. And more of our democracy will be left in ruins. We can disagree without violence. We can debate without dehumanizing. But first, we must decide—together—that this hate-fueled politics has no place in our future.