State and federal lawmakers react to the Minnesota lawmaker shootings
(KYMA, KECY/NBC) - Lawmakers across the country shared their reaction to the two separate shootings which left one Minnesota lawmaker dead and one Minnesota lawmaker injured over the weekend.
According to law enforcement, 57-year-old Vance Boelter has been identified as the suspect in the deaths of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as being the suspect in the shooting of State Senator John John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Senator Hoffman and his wife both survived and are recovering after surgery.
President Donald Trump was informed about the shootings Saturday, with the president calling it "absolutely terrible."
"And they're looking for that particular man right now," President Trump shared.
On Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for increased security on Capitol Hill in response to the shootings.
"It's a sad and somber Father's Day, because we're all shaken by the horrifying shootings, murders that occurred in Minnesota. When I heard it, it was like a punch gut to the stomach.
In light of this attack, I have asked the Capitol Police, just as I did earlier in the week, for Senator Padilla, to immediately increase the security for our senators, and I want to thank the sergeant at arms and the Capitol Police for responding quickly to protect our senators."
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Senator Schumer also said he asked the Senate Sergeant at Arms and his Republican colleagues to convene a bipartisan classified briefing to re-evaluate how members of Congress and their staffs are protected.
"I'm happy to say today that we will have that briefing as soon as we return, a bipartisan classified briefing on security for both senate members and for the whole country," Schumer shared.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote to social media Saturday saying, "Minnesota's flags will fly at half staff in honor and remembrance" of Rep. Hortman.
"She woke up every morning determined to make Minnesota a better place, and she will be greatly missed," Governor Walz expressed.
Other lawmakers across the country shared their reaction to the shootings:
This is incredibly disturbing news. My heart goes out to the families of those who were killed.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) June 14, 2025
Violence should have no place in our politics, but is becoming increasingly common. We need to bring down the temperature and restore peaceful and civil discourse in our country. https://t.co/8Q2NvNnNJ2
The shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses last night is horrifying. I’m keeping them, their families, and local law enforcement in my thoughts.
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) June 14, 2025
Political violence aims to frighten and keep us from participating in our democracy, shattering families and… https://t.co/H6WV70KSUz
I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants—Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman. Melissa, John and their entire families are in my prayers today as we await more information. I hope law…
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 14, 2025
I’m heartbroken and horrified by the brutal murder of Melissa Hortman and her husband. Sydney and I are keeping Senator Hoffman and his wife in our thoughts as they fight to recover.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) June 14, 2025
This kind of violence is devastating. No one should ever fear for their life like this,…
This is as horrific as it is heartbreaking. I’m praying for the families of the victims and hoping the suspect is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice by law enforcement. https://t.co/3hAV6iLfPo
— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) June 14, 2025
This is appalling. Lawmakers are now being shot and assassinated — targeted for their political beliefs.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 14, 2025
We pray for their families. We grieve with Minnesota. We call for peace in our politics. https://t.co/C6x3SjMCiE
I am devastated by the appalling, politically motivated shooting that targeted Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman, and their spouses. Lawmakers are now being shot—targeted for their political beliefs. This is not just heartbreaking, it’s dangerous.
— Eleni Kounalakis (@EleniForCA) June 14, 2025
There is no place for… https://t.co/1qOQyJkC6f
Political violence has no place in our country. It is horrifying and it must stop.https://t.co/cggxjkK3zg
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 14, 2025
The shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses is horrifying.
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) June 14, 2025
I am grateful for the rapid response from law enforcement, and my heart is with the Hortman and Hoffman families and their communities during this unimaginable time.
I’m praying for Rep. Melissa Hortman’s family, and for Sen. John Hoffman and his wife’s recovery this morning.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) June 14, 2025
The rising tide of political violence in this country tears at all the values we hold dear.
This is not who we are. This has to end.
Heartbroken by the shootings of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman.
— Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) June 14, 2025
My thoughts are with their families today.
Political violence is unacceptable.
We cannot allow our country to continue down this path of hatred, division, and violence.
Choose… https://t.co/tpgIp6xzri
Paul and I are heartbroken by targeted shootings in the homes of MN Senator Hoffman, Speaker Emerita Hortman and their spouses which are a shocking and abhorrent manifestation of political violence in our country.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 14, 2025
Unfortunately, we know the tragedy of when political violence…
This heinous attack motivated by politics should never happen in America. We must give hate and extremism no safe harbor and we must all unite against political violence as a nation. Jill and I are sending strength to everyone affected by this senseless tragedy during an…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 14, 2025
Horrifying.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) June 14, 2025
Violence is never the answer.
I am praying for these lawmakers, their families, and for our country.
We must stand together and reject political violence in every form. America is better than this.https://t.co/on9aGvov81
Nightmare in Minnesota: A gunman shot State Senator John Hoffman & State Rep. Melissa Hortman.
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) June 14, 2025
Political violence is a lethal threat to our freedom & democracy.
Let’s keep the nonviolent movements of American history close in our hearts today & pray for these public servants. https://t.co/0zCHXtCWgo
Nightmare in Minnesota: A gunman shot State Senator John Hoffman & State Rep. Melissa Hortman.
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) June 14, 2025
Political violence is a lethal threat to our freedom & democracy.
Let’s keep the nonviolent movements of American history close in our hearts today & pray for these public servants. https://t.co/0zCHXtCWgo
This is a stunning act of violence. I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 14, 2025
My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.
Political violence is always unacceptable. This is a horrifying day for Minnesota, and a sad day for America. What has occurred is a direct attack on our American values and democracy.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) June 14, 2025
Our hearts are with Senator John Hoffman, Representative Melissa Hortman, and their families.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 14, 2025
Americans can disagree on the issues, but violence is never the answer. This heinous act — and all forms of violence — have no place in our country.https://t.co/cRWwDP4xC1
The political assassination and targeted attacks in Minnesota shock the conscience.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) June 15, 2025
Our country is being ripped apart day after day.
We are better than this.
I’m shocked and outraged by the acts of political violence that unfolded in Minnesota overnight. I mourn the loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and I pray for the recovery of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. I’m grateful for the efforts of law enforcement, who…
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 14, 2025
My heart breaks & stomach turns at Minnesota’s tragedy. Political violence is a vile, virulent threat to our democracy. My prayers go out to the loved ones of Rep. Hortman & her husband, Mark, & Sen. Hoffman & his wife, Yvette.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) June 14, 2025
Horrified by the sickening act of political violence in Minnesota. I pray for the family of Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were murdered in cold blood, and for the recovery of John Hoffman and his wife.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) June 14, 2025
The killer must be held accountable. This has no place in America.
I’m horrified and heartbroken at the news coming out of Minnesota. Political violence is NEVER acceptable. My thoughts are with Sen. John Hoffman and his family, the family of former MN House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and the people of Minnesota.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) June 14, 2025
This act of targeted politcal violence in Minnesota is horrific and deeply un-American. There is no room for such hate in this country, and I look forward to the suspect being brought to justice.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) June 14, 2025
My deepest condolences are with family and loved ones of Rep. Melissa Hortman and…
I’m horrified by what happened in Minnesota. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
— Congresswoman Susie Lee (@RepSusieLee) June 14, 2025
Political violence of any kind can never be tolerated in America.https://t.co/c0nLn08sF1
Awful to learn about the tragic news out of Minnesota. A targeted, politically motivated attack took the lives of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Political violence in any form is wrong and must end. Praying for all those impacted. https://t.co/0tJYS3tSrw
— Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) June 14, 2025
I am heartbroken beyond words that Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark have died in a violent and politically motivated shooting. Melissa was an exceptional public servant. She was smart and funny and so dedicated to making Minnesota work better for all of us. We…
— Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) June 14, 2025
