Leaked Homeland Security memo warned of attacks eerily similar to Minnesota political assassin
A leaked 'confidential' memo from 2024 reportedly detailed that wannabe attackers against high-level government officials are focusing attention on their targets' residences, eerily resembling the assassination and attempted assassination attempts in Minnesota.
The resurfaced report comes as State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home on Saturday morning in what Governor Tim Walz said appeared to be 'politically motivated.'
Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and underwent surgery. Walz told reporters that doctors were 'cautiously optimistic' that the couple would survive the assassination attempt.
The shocking events may seem unpredictable, but a confidential memo, obtained by ABC News in March 2024, detailed a 'recent uptick' in personal residences targeted by public officials.
The memo said that the attacks on homes left public servants and their families 'vulnerable to attack.'
The attackers referenced in the memo have moved from targeting public spaces and known buildings to home addresses, which often lack security measures.
The federal intelligence bulletin cited increased online messaging promoting attacks on homes as the reason for the recent uptick in planned attacks.
'Recent attacks at private residences have occurred during a period of overall increased political polarization, target hardening of more traditional attack locations, and the prevalence of conspiracy theories targeting industry and government officials,' the memo stated.
The bulletin added that increased security measures in public spaces and government buildings have potentially driven attackers to 'prioritize private residences.'
The memo also stated, 'While targeting private residences is not a new tactic, 7 of 10 known attacks or disrupted plots against high-profile officials since 2018 occurred in the last two years.'
Analysts at the Department of Homeland Security also noted that attackers are motivated by ideological and personal grievances.
The federal intelligence bulletin warned that the enhanced technology and the ability to find people's addresses online have increased the potential of attacks on personal residences.
Although attacks on people's homes aren't new practices, the rise of violence against public officials in their residences has become increasingly alarming.
In October 2022, a man named David DePape broke into former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's home.
DePape invaded Pelosi's home with a hammer and attacked her husband, Paul, while repeatedly asking for the former speaker.
Now, in 2025, the threat has become even more real as federal officials investigate the shocking assassinations in Minnesota.
The information noted in the leaked memo last year foreshadowed the disturbing events that transpired on Saturday morning.
As the federal intelligence bulletin warned, the personal residences of Hortman and Hoffman presented an opportunity for the attacker to invade with fewer obstacles than a government building or public event.
The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home before the attacker arrived at Hortman's residence at 4am.
Law enforcement named Vance Boelter, 57, as the suspect, who remains at large after the vicious attacks.
Boelter is an employee at a security company where he works as the director of security patrols.
Investigators believe Boelter has attempted to flee the state as a nail-biting manhunt has ensued.
Law enforcement also found a 'manifesto' with almost 70 names inside his vehicle along with flyers for the anti-Trump 'NO KINGS' nationwide rallies.
Police have issued new terrifying images of the suspect in a Halloween-style mask during the shootings. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security didn't respond to a request for comment on the leaked memo, but referred to a statement from Secretary Kristi Noem.
'DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting of two Minnesota legislators in Brooklyn Park and Champlin,' the statement read.
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The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Minnesota ‘assassin' Vance Boelter's best friend reveals haunting text gunman sent after he ‘killed Melissa Hortman'
THE best friend and roommate of the suspected Minnesota assassin revealed the final chilling text he received from the alleged killer. Suspected gunman Vance Boelter is believed to have killed Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home while disguised as a police officer, according to cops. 15 15 15 15 The killer also seriously injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their residence in Champlin just hours before, early on Saturday morning. The alleged shooter's friend, David Carlson, has now detailed his childhood pal's final goodbye message, according to KARE. Reading his text messages with Boelter, Carlson said: 'David and Ron, I love you guys. "I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. "May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." Footage showed the suspected political assassin's friend read the eerie messages in front of his home in North Minneapolis. He continued to read the texts: "I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don't know anything about this. "But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused." Fearing his friend may have done something to harm himself, Carlson immediately called the cops. The 59-year-old, who met Boelter, 57, all the way back in fourth grade, was shocked at the prospect that his friend could have carried out the ruthless killings. 'He wasn't a hateful person,' Carlson said. He added: 'But he needed help.' The haunting texts were revealed after the accused killer's wife was detained following a dramatic traffic stop - before cops said they found weapons and passports in her car. Jenny Boetler was stopped by police while driving with several relatives near Onamia, Minnesota, on Saturday at around 10am, according to KTSP. 15 15 15 15 In the car she also had cash and ammunition, local cops said, adding that the wife was also held for questioning but not arrested. It is currently unclear whether the Boetlers lived together - since Vance is understood to have lived at a residence in Camden, Minnesota. The couple are understood to have joint-ran Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based security company. Their website says: 'Here to set up security options and provide security services right to your doorstep and property to keep what you own safe and secure." The site also says that Boelter had experience working with "security situations" across Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. Online biographies also showed he was the CEO of Red Lion Group - which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, he is said to have worked with Minnesota Africans United - a local organization working with African immigrants in the state. 2022 footage showed Boelter speaking about Red Lion Group's ventures in the DRC, claiming to have business ventures there in fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis. Last month, his online profiles said he was open to work. Boelter's longtime pal Carlson seemingly confirmed his search for work, and added that his friend was experiencing financial trouble, according to CNN. 15 15 15 Carlson said: 'He was looking around, but maybe things didn't work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory. "I have no idea what he was thinking." Boelter was twice appointed to Minnesota government by different Democratic governors. In 2016 then Governor Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Council. Later in 2019, current Governor Tim Walz enlisted him to serve a four-year stint on the Workforce Development Board, according to documents. Despite his work under Walz, Carlson revealed that Boelter had voted for Donald Trump at the last election. The security services worker also last registered to vote in 2022 as a Republican, according to the New York Post. FBI announces $50k reward for arrest and conviction The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in Saturday's targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and their families in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him. The FBI, BCA, Brooklyn Park Police Department and Champlin Police Department along with other local and state law enforcement officials continue searching for Boelter. Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Carlson added that he wasn't aware of what Boelter's political leanings on state politics were, however. He also shared that Boetler was also strongly anti-abortion - but not in a way that could have motivated him to kill. 'It wasn't the thing that defined him,' Carlson said. 'I mean, it wasn't his total existence. He would talk about other things.' Boelter lived at Carlson's home in North Minneapolis just a few days a week, according to the roommate. He explained how Boelter was not at the residence at the time officers executed a search warrant on Saturday. 15 15 Cops were called to Senator Hoffman's home at 2:08am on Saturday and responded to Rep. Hortman's home at 3:35am — where they exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The shooter was seen on home security footage released by the FBI outside one of the victim's homes, wearing a fake police uniform and an eerie latex mask. As cops launched an extensive manhunt for the killer who is still at large, they named 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect in the shootings. He should be considered armed and dangerous and the public should not approach him, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has warned. A $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction has been announced by the FBI. A motive has not been released by cops, but the shootings come as millions take to the streets as part of the anti-Trump No Kings movement as the President holds a military parade in Washington DC. "We don't have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said 'No Kings' within the suspect vehicle, and as we know, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said. Boelter was last seen in the Twin Cities area wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt and light pants. He is described as 220lbs and 6 foot 1 and cops believe he is trying to flee the area and may be carrying a dark bag. The public should call 911 or sent tips to or call 877-996-6222.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Americans don't see Supreme Court as politically neutral, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
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Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Virginia governor's race a test of Trump's grip on competitive state
WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - Virginia's governor election this year is a popularity test for Republican President Donald Trump and his policies, presenting an opportunity for Democrats to claw back some power after the party's recent election rout. The southern state holds a primary on Tuesday that will determine who faces off in the November 4 general election. The process is largely a formality as Democrats and Republicans each have only one candidate, likely meaning either Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the first Black Republican elected statewide, or Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former three-term U.S. Representative, will become the state's first woman governor. The state's off-year election is often seen as a referendum on the presidency. Only once since 1977 has Virginia picked a governor from the same party as the sitting president. Four years ago, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin ran against former President Joe Biden's pandemic-era policies and won. Virginia law does not allow governors to serve consecutive terms. The three major non-partisan U.S. election ratings groups and recent public opinion polls give Spanberger a slight edge in the general election. "The race is likely to be competitive. It's not going to be a blowout one way or another,' said Jennifer Victor, a political science professor at George Mason University. Trump's government overhaul, previously led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, hit parts of Virginia's more than 144,000 federal civilian workforce, from the northern suburbs outside Washington, D.C., to the southern part of the state that is home to a large military presence. "There is going to be this question of federal workers just because of how much it was taken as a direct assault on Virginia and what Virginia contributes to the nation," said Claire McKinney, a government professor at the College of William & Mary. Norfolk's Port of Virginia, the nation's ninth-largest water port based on tonnage, is also bracing for the potential full implementation of Trump's sweeping tariff threats. "If people start feeling their prices go up, and start feeling businesses start laying people off, which I think is likely if these tariffs have the impact that I expect, that would be terrible for Sears," said Derrick Max, a Republican who leads the free-market Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy in Virginia. "But if Trump is using this as a bargaining chip and the tariffs never really go into effect and we end up getting some trade deals out of it, it's a bonus for Sears." Spanberger was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections during Trump's first term. One of five women with national security backgrounds who helped Democrats capture a House majority, the former CIA officer is using similar tactics to rail against the administration's latest policies and congressional Republicans' proposed tax and budget legislation. Virginia's politically diverse electorate requires Spanberger to break into more rural areas that have been a challenge for the national Democratic Party, according to Brandy Faulkner, a politics professor at Virginia Tech. "She's going to have to get out of that little bubble and really see what ordinary people in the non-metro areas are concerned about and why they've been voting as they have been," Faulkner said. Spanberger said in a statement that if elected she would focus on lowering costs, strengthening the state economy and schools, and protecting freedoms. "Virginians deserve leaders who will always put their jobs, schools, and communities first," Spanberger said. Earle-Sears, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, is hoping her statewide record coupled with Trump's popularity in parts of the state far from the Washington suburbs can turn out the conservative base. "I will never stop fighting to make life more affordable, our schools stronger, and our communities safer. We've delivered important progress over the past four years, and we still have so much more to do," Earle-Sears said in a statement. In New Jersey, the only other U.S. state holding a governor's race this year, Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill - a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who was also first elected in the 2018 midterms - will face Trump-backed Republican former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.
