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Accused Minnesota assassin wrote unhinged confession to Kash Patel wildly claiming Walz urged him to murder Dem lawmakers

Accused Minnesota assassin wrote unhinged confession to Kash Patel wildly claiming Walz urged him to murder Dem lawmakers

New York Post16-07-2025
Accused political assassin Vance Boelter allegedly sent a deranged confession to FBI Director Kash Patel claiming that Gov. Tim Walz had urged him to kill Democratic lawmakers as part of a twisted plot.
The wild handwritten ramblings were released Tuesday as Boelter was indicted for allegedly gunning down ex-Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their Minneapolis home on June 14.
'Dear Kash Patel. My name is Dr. Vance Luther, Boelter E.d.D. I am the shooter at large in Minnesota,' Boelter allegedly wrote.
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5 This image provided by the FBI shows Vance Boelter in a mask at the home of John Hoffman on June 14, 2025.
FBI
5 Minnesota Rep Melissa Hortman and husband Mark Hortman were killed.
Mark Hortman/Facebook
He went on to claim that he'd been 'hired by US military people off the books' since his college days — and had gone to work on 'line of duty' missions across the world.
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'Recently, I was approached about a project that Tim Walz wanted done… Tim wanted me to kill Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Tim wants to be a senator,' he claimed, referring to the Minnesota US senators.
5 Boelter was arrested on June 15, 2025.
HANDOUT/RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Elsewhere in the ramblings, he alleged: 'I told Tim I want nothing to do with it and if he didn't call off that plan I would go public.'
The note, which was first reported on last month in the wake of his arrest, was found in his abandoned SUV at the crime scene after he allegedly gunned down Hortman and her husband.
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Boelter allegedly shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette earlier that night but they miraculously survived.
5 FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a Senate Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
AP
The letter didn't disclose why Boelter allegedly targeted the two couples.
He insisted to The Post last week that the murders had nothing to do with President Trump or abortion — but stopped short of saying what allegedly drove him to kill.
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'There is little evidence showing why he turned to political violence and extremism,' acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said following his indictment.
5 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz presents a Minnesota flag to the family of DFL Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman after a funeral ceremony at the Basilica of Saint Mary on June 28, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Getty Images
'What he left were lists: politicians in Minnesota, lists of politicians in other states, lists of names of attorneys at national law firms.'
Asked for comment on the letter, a spokesman for Walz told the Washington Post, 'The tragedy continues to be deeply disturbing for all Minnesotans.'
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Next stop, White House? Anticipation builds for Kamala Harris, other eager Dems
Next stop, White House? Anticipation builds for Kamala Harris, other eager Dems

USA Today

time20 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Next stop, White House? Anticipation builds for Kamala Harris, other eager Dems

Like the party they hope to lead, the jumbled field of Democratic presidential hopefuls lacks a consistent philosophy or plan for victory - yet. She'll have plenty of company. Former Vice President Kamala Harris closed the door on a campaign for California governor next year, keeping open the door for a White House bid in 2028. Three years out, the presidential contest is rapidly becoming a full employment project for ambitious Democrats. Already in the mix of The Hopefuls and the Often-Mentioneds are governors and senators, rising stars and the once-were-rising stars. There are both Democratic Socialists and centrists, those who vow to battle President Donald Trump at every turn and those who counsel accommodation when it's possible. The Democratic contenders and maybe-contenders form a disparate group that lacks a consistent political philosophy or a clear plan for victory, in a party that could be described the same way. That's no coincidence. One shapes the other. 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On Thursday morning, Simon and Schuster announced she had written a memoir, titled "107 Days," chronicling her the whirlwind presidential campaign last year. More: Kamala Harris explores 'drama of running for president' in new book on 2024 bid The publication date is Sept. 23, less than a year since that Election Day. In another time, or maybe another political party, Harris would be viewed as the early frontrunner. She is credited with running a credible campaign under difficult circumstances, carrying 48.32% of the popular vote, compared to 49.80% for Trump. The Electoral College count was more lopsided, at 312-226. But she lost, and Democrats in the past have demonstrated little loyalty to losers. The last Democratic nominee who lost one presidential race and was nominated for another was Adlai Stevenson, in 1956, who lost to Dwight Eisenhower again. That was eight years before Harris was born. For the record, Republicans seem to be more forgiving. Trump, for one, was nominated in 2024 and won after losing to Biden in 2020. Richard Nixon was nominated in 1968 and won after losing to John F. Kennedy in 1960. In what may have been an object lesson for Harris, Nixon chose to run for California governor two years after that loss, in 1962, only to lose to Democratic incumbent Pat Brown and declare he was through with politics altogether. "You won't have Nixon to kick around any more," he famously, and prematurely, announced. Dealing with the legacy of Biden Harris would face another challenge: The continuing debate over Biden. The former president's decision to seek a second term, only to belatedly withdraw amid questions about his mental acuity, has contributed to the Democrats' current nadir. She was his vice president and defender. 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In a new Wall Street Journal poll, only 33% of Americans had a favorable view of the Democratic Party; 63% had an unfavorable one. That's a three-decade low.

Kamala Harris' Odds of Becoming President Soar at Bookmaker
Kamala Harris' Odds of Becoming President Soar at Bookmaker

Newsweek

time21 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Kamala Harris' Odds of Becoming President Soar at Bookmaker

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The odds-on Kamala Harris becoming the next president have improved sharply from 50/1 (2 percent) to 25/1 (3.8 percent) among one bookmaker after the former vice president announced on Wednesday that she won't be running to be the next governor of California in 2026. Newsweek contacted Harris for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom's term ends in January 2025, and he is term-limited. There had been much speculation about whether Harris, a former Senator from the state who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, would run for the seat. picking up 226 Electoral College votes against 312 for her Republican rival. The Democrats could have a wide-open primary in 2028 as the party has reexamined its leaders following the second loss to Trump. Newsom and Harris have both been mentioned as possible candidates, though the former vice president could face headwinds if she chose to run again after her 2024 defeat. Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the 2024 election at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the 2024 election at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, To Know U.K. based bookmaker William Hill is currently offering odds of 25/1 (3.8 percent) on Harris becoming the next president of the United States, an improvement on the 50/1 (2 percent) it had before the former vice president announced she won't run for governor. In a statement released on Wednesday Harris said she had "given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor" but "after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for Governor in this election." The current William Hill favorite to win the 2028 presidential election is Vice President JD Vance, at 5/2 (28.6 percent). This is followed by the current Trump at 8/1 (11.1 percent), though he is serving in his second term and most constitutional scholars say that he is prohibited from running for a third term. As of yet, the president has refused to rule another bid out, commenting in March that "there are methods [by] which you could do it." In the William Hill odds the current vice president and president are followed by House Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom each at 9/1 (10 percent), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, at 12/1 (7.7 percent) and Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at 14/1 (6.7 percent). The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and former Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel follow at 16/1 (5.9 percent) apiece, then Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer with 20/1 each (4.8 percent). In addition to Harris former first lady Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic President Barack Obama, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, each had odds of 25/1 (3.8 percent) on being elected in 2028. What People Are Saying Speaking to Newsweek William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "With Kamala Harris effectively ruling herself out of the running to become the next Governor of California, we think she could have her eyes on the 2028 presidential election. "Harris is currently our fourth worst result in our Next President market and after her latest career update, we've slashed her odds accordingly to 25/1 from 50/1. "Harris isn't the only Democrat that has been popular in the market, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez consistently attracting support since the end of last year—when she was priced at 50/1—so much so that she is the worst result in our book and is now 9/1, third favorite behind JD Vance (5/2) and Donald Trump Sr (8/1)." What Happens Next Harris has not announced whether she will run in 2028 and such a declaration would be highly unusual this early in the campaign cycle. Democratic Party primaries are expected to begin in early 2028 ahead of the main contest in November.

What America's Most and Least Popular Mayors Can Teach About Governing
What America's Most and Least Popular Mayors Can Teach About Governing

Newsweek

time21 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

What America's Most and Least Popular Mayors Can Teach About Governing

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. San Francisco and Chicago are delivering a split-screen lesson in urban Democratic leadership in 2025. In one city, a new mayor is riding a wave of optimism. In the other, a sitting mayor faces historically low approval ratings. Together, they show how public perception can define a politician's fate long before policy results arrive. A July San Francisco Chronicle poll put Mayor Daniel Lurie's approval at 73 percent just six months into his term — a figure almost unheard of in the city's rough-and-tumble political climate. "I am just focused on delivering results for the people of San Francisco. That's why they elected me," Lurie told reporters when the poll was released. Lurie's political strength lies in focusing relentlessly on the quality-of-life issues that residents see every day: litter, drugs, street safety and visible disorder. A self-styled technocrat and heir to the Levi's fortune, Lurie took office and immediately declared the fentanyl crisis an emergency, set up a 24/7 drop-off center for people in crisis, and created a dedicated police unit for Union Square and the rest of the city's downtown core. He also pledged to add 1,500 shelter and treatment beds by September and already had 420 funded or opened by May. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (left) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (right) are seeing opposite fortunes in 2025, with one riding high approval ratings while the other faces historic lows. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (left) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (right) are seeing opposite fortunes in 2025, with one riding high approval ratings while the other faces historic lows. AP "This is just the start... a really important moment in our city's trajectory," he said at a ribbon-cutting for a new recovery center. Chicago's story is the reverse. A February poll by M3 Strategies found Mayor Brandon Johnson's approval at just 6.6 percent, with nearly 80 percent of voters holding an unfavorable view. It's the lowest rating for a Chicago mayor in modern history, according to the Illinois Policy Institute, and among the lowest approval ratings ever measured in U.S. politics. On paper, Johnson can point to some progress: homicides down 15 percent in his first year, shootings and violent crime trending downward in mid-2025, and a unified shelter system with over 7,000 beds that stabilized a chaotic migrant influx. But perception hasn't followed. San Francisco: A Honeymoon Built on Visibility For the City by the Bay, the story so far is one of momentum built on optics and early action. Lurie's first months in office have been defined by highly visible moves that signaled urgency — crackdowns on street-level drug markets, cleanup campaigns in the city's tourist core and a promise to rapidly expand shelter capacity. Lurie has been walking the streets, talking to residents, throwing out first pitches, cutting ribbons and keeping his constituents up to speed with a deft use of social media. For San Franciscans, the mayor is seemingly everywhere all at once. California State Senator Scott Wiener said the shift in the city's demeanor from the depths of the pandemic has been palpable. "Over the last year, we've started turning a corner. Homeless encampments are down, drug use is declining, and more people are returning downtown," Wiener told Newsweek. "Progress is visible." Mayor Daniel Lurie of the San Francisco Giants throws the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Oracle Park on April 4, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Mayor Daniel Lurie of the San Francisco Giants throws the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Oracle Park on April 4, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images Yet the same Chronicle poll that delivered Lurie's high marks exposed the vulnerabilities familiar to other big-city mayors. Only 36 percent approved of his handling of housing affordability, and less than half were satisfied with progress on homelessness and the opioid crisis. Those are the very issues that define San Francisco's image nationwide. A failure to show more tangible results could quickly erode his early goodwill. Lurie also faces a looming $876 million two-year budget deficit and political friction over where new shelters will go. A proposal requiring every district to host one sparked neighborhood pushback and exposed early tensions with the city's powerful Board of Supervisors. His heavy reliance on the Bay Area's tech and business elite to shape downtown recovery has drawn praise for pragmatism — as well as questions about corporate influence inside City Hall. Chicago: A Mayor Trapped by Perception Where San Francisco's story is one of early optimism, Chicago's illustrates how quickly a narrative can harden against a mayor. Despite measurable drops in violent crime and the stabilization of a migrant crisis that consumed the city's resources, Brandon Johnson has struggled to convince residents their city is on the right track. "His low approval ratings are less about his general goals than the challenges the city faces," said Dick Simpson, a University of Illinois Chicago professor emeritus and former alderman. "He has done less well in handling crises and government generally than [his past three predecessors] Mayors Daley, Emanuel or Lightfoot." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at Robert Healy Elementary School on April 4, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Johnson is suffering one of the lowest approval ratings seen in modern U.S. politics. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at Robert Healy Elementary School on April 4, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Johnson is suffering one of the lowest approval ratings seen in modern U.S. said Johnson's sluggish start hurt him. "He was very slow to get his team together. The transition team report was months late and it took most of his first year in office to make appointments," Simpson told Newsweek. "Many of his staff were unfamiliar with city government and had difficulty making the change from teacher, labor union leader, or community leader. They made many mistakes." Johnson's progressive governing philosophy — shifting resources from punitive policing to addressing root causes of crime and a focus on identity politics — was always politically risky, and has become even more so. Early critics amplified that risk: the police union's president warned of "blood in the streets" if he won. Even as crime dipped, the narrative of a city adrift stuck. Adding to the challenge, his "Bring Chicago Home" housing initiative was defeated by voters in 2024, straining ties with the business community and depriving his administration of dedicated funding for homeless services. The migrant crisis consumed more than $600 million in combined city, state and federal spending, sparking resentment in some long-neglected Black neighborhoods as resources flowed to new arrivals. Experts: Perception Trumps Policy in City Hall Together, the diverging leadership of two great American cities highlight what political analysts say is a recurring truth: public approval is often driven more by visible action and messaging than by raw statistics. "Mayor Johnson's record low approval is all his own doing," said Thomas Bowen, a Democratic strategist who advised former Chicago mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot, in an interview with Newsweek. "Voters just don't trust him anymore to look out for their pocketbooks, improve their schools, or get the City of Chicago back on track," he added. That dynamic is also a reminder that data doesn't always drive perception. While violent crime is declining in Chicago, San Francisco's challenges remain tied to perceptions of disorder. Yet one mayor is being rewarded and the other punished in the court of public opinion. "It's less about data tables and more about whether people believe their mayor is visibly in control of the situation," said Simpson, the former Chicago alderman. The contrast underscores how fragile political capital can be in America's largest cities. In San Francisco, visible urgency has translated into trust and a sense of momentum. Lurie has leaned into that visibility, walking the long-troubled Tenderloin district with police, cutting ribbons at treatment centers and projecting a constant state of optimism across social media. However, in Chicago, even measurable progress has struggled to cut through when residents don't feel it in their daily lives — a gap that can define a mayor's legacy as much as any policy win or loss, Simpson said.

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