Klobuchar says her security has increased without her request after Minnesota shooting
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said her security was increased without her request following the fatal shooting of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband over the weekend.
During an interview on NBC's 'Meet The Press,' host Kristen Welker asked if Klobuchar knew whether she was on the list of targets, which included 'prominent pro-choice individuals in Minnesota,' an official who has seen the list told The Hill's sister network NewsNation.
Klobuchar responded that, although she does not have confirmation as to whether she was included on the list, her security was increased without her request.
'So I just know that they have added security without my request. So I think they're concerned about everyone. I don't have confirmation of that,' she said.
Klobuchar also called the shooter, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, 'a murderous, murderous man.'
'He will know no limits, whether you're on the list, whether you're not,' she said. 'He may change what he's focused on, and that's what we're most concerned about right now is that the next person not a political person, but a person he just encounters?'
Klobuchar noted that Boelter, who escaped during a shootout with police at the house of state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife after shooting and wounding them, may still be in the Midwest area, noting officials also put out an alert for South Dakota.
Despite the shooting, Klobuchar said she is not concerned about her personal safety, saying she and other lawmakers have received threats before.
'I believe that our local law enforcement and the capitol police and the like will protect us,' she said.
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Politico
21 minutes ago
- Politico
Search for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota lawmakers leads to vehicle in rural area
BELLE PLAINE, Minnesota — Authorities searched a vehicle on a rural road outside Minneapolis on Sunday that they believe had been used by the man wanted in the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers, as a state on edge struggled to make sense of the brazen political violence that left one leader dead. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin home, about 9 miles away. Authorities named 57-year-old Vance Boelter as a suspect, saying he wore a mask as he posed as a police officer, even allegedly altering a vehicle to make it look like a police car. More than 24 hours after authorities first confronted him outside Hortman's home, Boelter was still on the loose after fleeing on foot. The FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. They circulated a photo taken Saturday of Boelter wearing a tan cowboy hat and asked the public to report sightings. Investigators found a cowboy hat near the vehicle and were working to determine whether it belongs to Boelter. Law enforcement officers were searching the area, including nearby homes. The officials could not discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The search was happening in rural Sibley County, roughly 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis, where Boelter had a home with his wife and five children. Residents in the area received an emergency alert about the located vehicle that warned them to lock their doors and cars. A crowd of officers were seen congregated on a dirt road near the abandoned dark sedan believed to have been used by Boelter. Doors on both sides of the car were splayed open, with discarded items scattered near the vehicle. Some officers broke off and walked into a wooded area off the road. The car was later towed away. 'We believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him,' U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' 'But right now, everyone's on edge here, because we know that this man will kill at a second.' The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. Lawmakers said they were disturbed by the attacks as Twin Cities residents mourned. Brightly colored flowers and small American flags were placed Sunday on the gray marbled stone of the Minnesota State Capitol along with a photo of the Hortmans. People scrawled messages on small notes including, 'You were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.' Pam Stein came with flowers and kneeled by the memorial. It made Stein emotional to think about Hortman, whom she called an 'absolute powerhouse' and 'the real unsung hero of Minnesota government.' 'She had a way of bringing people to the table and getting things done like no one else could do,' said Stein, a retired lawyer. The Hoffmans were recovering from surgery, according to their nephew, Mat Ollig. Authorities have not yet given details on a motive. A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, the officials said. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about healthcare facilities, according to the officials. A Minnesota official told the AP that lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 'No Kings' demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway, including one that drew tens of thousands to the State Capitol in St. Paul. Authorities said the suspect had 'No Kings' flyers in his car. Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol, a person familiar with the matter told AP. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done. '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. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused,' he wrote in messages viewed by the AP. Police first responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. Local police from Brooklyn Park were assisting with the call and decided to proactively check on Hortman's home nearby, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said Saturday. There, they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer leaving the house. Officers confronted him, he fired at them and officers returned fire. The suspect then retreated back into the home and fled on foot, Bruley said. He left behind the vehicle designed to look like a police car where authorities later found writings. On social media, Gov. Tim Walz remembered Hortman Sunday as, 'The most consequential Speaker in state history.' Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led Democrats in a three-week walkout at the beginning of this year's session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power-sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the title speaker emerita. Hortman used her position as speaker in 2023 to champion expanded protections for abortion rights, including legislation to solidify Minnesota's status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them. The couple had two adult children. Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and was chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He and his wife have one adult daughter.
Boston Globe
32 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Search for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota lawmakers leads to one of his vehicles in rural area
Related : More than 24 hours after authorities first confronted him outside Hortman's home, Boelter was still on the loose after fleeing on foot. The FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. They circulated a photo taken Saturday of Boelter wearing a tan cowboy hat and asked the public to report sightings. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Investigators found a cowboy hat near the vehicle and were working to determine whether it belongs to Boelter. Law enforcement officers were searching the area, including nearby homes. The officials could not discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Tire marks from police vehicles mark the lawn of suspect Vance Luther Boelter's home in Minneapolis. Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press The search was happening in rural Sibley County, roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Minneapolis, where Boelter had a home with his wife and five children. Residents in the area received an emergency alert about the located vehicle that warned them to lock their doors and cars. Advertisement A crowd of officers were seen congregated on a dirt road near the abandoned dark sedan believed to have been used by Boelter. Doors on both sides of the car were splayed open, with discarded items scattered near the vehicle. Some officers broke off and walked into a wooded area off the road. The car was later towed away. 'We believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him,' U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' 'But right now, everyone's on edge here, because we know that this man will kill at a second.' A makeshift memorial for Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is seen at the state Capitol. George Walker IV/Associated Press The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. Lawmakers said they were disturbed by the attacks as Twin Cities residents mourned. Brightly colored flowers and small American flags were placed Sunday on the gray marbled stone of the Minnesota State Capitol along with a photo of the Hortmans. People scrawled messages on small notes including, 'You were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.' Pam Stein came with flowers and kneeled by the memorial. It made Stein emotional to think about Hortman, whom she called an 'absolute powerhouse' and 'the real unsung hero of Minnesota government.' 'She had a way of bringing people to the table and getting things done like no one else could do,' said Stein, a retired lawyer. The Hoffmans were recovering from surgery, according to their nephew, Mat Ollig. No details on motive Authorities have not yet given details on a motive. A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, the officials said. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about healthcare facilities, according to the officials. Advertisement A Minnesota official told the AP that lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 'No Kings' demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway, including one that drew tens of thousands to the State Capitol in St. Paul. Authorities said the suspect had 'No Kings' flyers in his car. Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol, a person familiar with the matter told AP. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Bullet holes mark the front door of the house of Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife who were shot earlier in the day. Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press The suspect Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done. '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. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused," he wrote in messages viewed by the AP. Advertisement Armed FBI agents search for an active shooter, sweeping a neighborhood adjacent to the home of Minnesota DFL State Representative Melissa Hortman, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Alex Kormann/Associated Press Two Democrats targeted Police first responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. Local police from Brooklyn Park were assisting with the call and decided to proactively check on Hortman's home nearby, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said Saturday. There, they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer leaving the house. Officers confronted him, he fired at them and officers returned fire. The suspect then retreated back into the home and fled on foot, Bruley said. He left behind the vehicle designed to look like a police car where authorities later found writings. On social media, Gov. Tim Walz remembered Hortman Sunday as, 'The most consequential Speaker in state history.' Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led Democrats in a three-week walkout at the beginning of this year's session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power-sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the title speaker emerita. Police deploy as a manhunt is underway for a shooter that targeted two state lawmakers, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Tim Sullivan/Associated Press Hortman used her position as speaker in 2023 to champion expanded protections for abortion rights, including legislation to solidify Minnesota's status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them. The couple had two adult children. Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and was chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He and his wife have one adult daughter. Karnowski reported from Minneapolis, and Balsamo and Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Michael Biesecker in Washington; Jim Mustian in New York; Sophia Tareen in Chicago and Makiya Seminera in Raleigh, N.C., contributed. Advertisement
The Hill
43 minutes ago
- The Hill
Paul ‘not for censuring' Padilla: ‘I think that's crazy'
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he would be against censuring Sen. Alex Padilla after the California Democrat tried to approach and question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference, which led to federal agents forcibly removing and handcuffing him. 'No, no, no. I'm not for censuring him. I think that's crazy. I'm not for that at all,' Paul told NBC's Kristen Welker on Sunday's 'Meet The Press.' The Thursday altercation sparked varying reactions on Capitol Hill, with Democrats condemning federal agents for what they said was an unjust and unnecessary reaction, and Republicans arguing Padilla's conduct was inappropriate. The White House said Padilla 'stormed' the press conference and 'lunged' at Noem, while Democrats argued the senator was within his rights to question the Homeland Secretary secretary and was 'manhandled' by law enforcement. Paul said he believed the altercation could have ended 'without the handcuffs,' but said Padilla 'rushed the stage,' adding he didn't think the federal agents recognized the California senator. 'The other side to it is, can you rush a stage?' Paul said. 'Can you rush into a press conference? And I think they honestly didn't recognize him.' Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday said he thought Padilla should be censured for his actions. 'I think that that behavior at a minimum rises to the level of a censure,' Johnson told reporters. 'I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what we're going to do, that's not what we're going to act.' The Los Angeles press conference Noem held on Thursday came amid widespread protests against the Trump administration's deportation efforts and in reaction to President Trump's mobilizing of the National Guard and Marines to protect federal property and personnel.
