Reaction to shootings of MN legislators: ‘This is a stunning act of violence,' says Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and her spouse were fatally shot in their home, authorities say; Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlain, and his spouse were also shot in their homes.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Metro Transit also provided logistical updates in this developing situation:
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., told Minnesota Public Radio that she saw Hortman and Hoffman at the DFL's Humphrey-Mondale dinner on Friday night.
Hours after the dinner, she posted her reaction to the shootings:
'This morning Minnesota woke up to news of a brutal act of violence targeting public servants,' Smith stated on X before the fatalities were announced. 'I am heartbroken to learn that our Speaker Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman and their spouses have been shot. I've worked closely with these fine legislators for many years. Archie and I are grateful for the incredible response of law enforcement and hope that everyone will be safe today.'
'This is a stunning act of violence,' U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stated via X early Saturday. 'I'm thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time. My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.'
'I am devastated to hear of the targeted shootings of State Senator John Hoffman and House Speaker Melissa Hortman,' said U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., in a statement on X. 'They are great public servants and friends. And today's news is shocking. I am closely monitoring the situation this morning, and Cheryl and I are keeping their families, colleagues and loved ones in our prayers. I'm grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their ongoing work.'
'This is horrifying,' stated U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, a Republican, on X. 'As we learn more details, I'm praying for the victims and their families and hope law enforcement is able to find the attacker quickly.'
'I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,' said Minnesota House Speaker Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, in a statement. 'With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator.'
'My heart is broken over the events that unfolded overnight and the loss of life, security, and peace that we are all feeling right now,' said Minnesota State Sen. Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks. 'The families of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman are in my prayers. Senate Republicans are unified in our condemnation of this brazen act of violence. We thank law enforcement and Capitol Security for their coordinated effort responding to the threat and delivering justice.'
'I'm just learning of the events that took place last night due to getting a safety alert for elected officials,' said Mayor Zach Lindstrom of Mounds View via Facebook. 'I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of violence against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok … For those going out to protest today please do it safely and if something looks off say something we do not need anyone else to get hurt.'
'I've activated the State Emergency Operations Center,' Gov. Tim Walz stated on X on Saturday morning. 'Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon.'
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who survived a politically motivated shooting in Arizona in 2011, reacted to the news out of Minnesota on Saturday:
'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants,' Giffords stated on X. 'Melissa, John and their entire families are in my prayers today as we await more information. I hope law enforcement can quickly find those responsible and bring them to justice.
'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.'
While the Metro Transit's B Line is still making its debut on Saturday, a rapid transit line replacing Route 21, the related festivities will not happen as scheduled.
'METRO B Line opening day festivities have been canceled after receiving reports of an evolving public safety situation,' Metro Transit reported on X on Saturday morning. 'All bus and train service will continue as scheduled. We urge you to rely on the Department of Public Safety for the latest updates.'
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Rep. Melissa Hortman and husband killed; Sen. John Hoffman and wife also shot
St. Paul woman asks help to find ex missing while climbing Andes in Peru
Judge acquits former Bethel football player in 2018 university sexual assault case
Minnesota's election safeguards stopped a voter fraud scheme in its tracks, secretary of state says
St. Paul police: Driver who struck three officers arrested
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
27 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Zelensky Returning to White House With Backup After Trump Clash
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. European leaders and the NATO Secretary General will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Monday's White House meeting, offering up a coordinated show of support for Kyiv after President Donald Trump failed to reach a ceasefire deal with Russia last week. Why It Matters European officials have looked on with concern as the Trump administration placed itself as the chief negotiator between Russia and Ukraine, jockeying to stay in the loop—and influential—as the Republican appears unwilling to strongarm Russia into concessions. European countries, many of which feel their own security is at stake with an agreement for Ukraine, have repeatedly echoed Kyiv's demands for a ceasefire deal that does not gift Russia territory recognized internationally as Ukrainian, and for Kyiv to have firm security guarantees to deter future Russian attacks. Ahead of Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, European leaders made it clear they did not support any change in borders by force. Trump had said in advance of the summit that both sides would need to cede territory. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participate in a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on August 17, 2025. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participate in a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on August 17, 2025. AP Photo What To Know British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will be among the leaders making the trip to Washington. Also expected to attend are Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has sought a tight relationship with Trump. Finnish President Alexander Stubb may attend, Politico reported on Sunday. The Finnish leader has broken the ice with Trump, bonding over a shared love of golfing while leading a country with a significant land border, and apprehension toward, Russia. Stubb is a "very good player," Trump previously said. Zelensky's previous visit to the White House in February ended in disaster, descending into a public show of fractured relations between Kyiv and Washington. "Most likely, there will be little mutual understanding between Trump and Zelensky," Oleg Dunda, a Ukrainian MP who is part of Zelensky's Servant of the People party, told Newsweek. "Zelensky has already firmly rejected any proposals regarding territories." Trump told European leaders after meeting Putin that he backed a plan in which Ukraine would cede territory it still controlled to Russia, The New York Times reported, citing two senior European officials. Reuters reported that Russia had said it would offer slivers of land it currently controls in Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv giving up chunks of land in the east that Russia does not currently control, citing sources briefed on the Kremlin's thinking. Under the proposal, Ukraine would fully withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, with the current front lines in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to the south frozen in place, according to the report. Kyiv has said it will not reward Russia's invasion with territory, and to cede these areas would go against the country's constitution. Russia has tried to frame European nations as stumbling blocks to the peace agreement the Trump administration has pledged to broker. Following the Anchorage summit, Putin urged European politicians to "not make attempts to disrupt the planned progress through provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues," or to become "obstacles." Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Sunday that despite the Alaska summit yielding no deal, Ukraine would have "Article 5-like" protections to ward off any future attempt by Russia to attack its neighbor. Article 5 is the provision in NATO's founding treaty that means that an attack on any member country in the alliance is treated as an attack on all. Moscow has insisted Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO, while Kyiv sees joining the alliance as a way to make sure Russia cannot attack the country again. "Now it is really up to President Zelensky to get it done," Trump told Fox News following the Alaska summit. "I would also say the European nations have to get involved a little bit." What People Are Saying Dominique Trinquand, a retired general who previously headed up France's military mission to the United Nations, told The Associated Press: "The Europeans are very afraid of the Oval Office scene being repeated and so they want to support Mr. Zelensky to the hilt." What Happens Next It's not clear how much concrete progress will be made in Monday's meeting, the Russian and Ukrainian demands remaining apparently irreconciliable.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Gavin Newsom's Team Unveils New Nickname for JD Vance
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. After pivoting into a Donald Trump-style of social media posting to mock the U.S. president, California Governor Gavin Newsom's team has now introduced a new nickname for Vice President J.D. Vance, "Just Dance Vance." The governor's office was commenting on Vance's recent visit to Indianapolis where Republicans are under pressure from the Trump administration to redraw the state's electoral map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The same move has recently been pushed by Texas Republicans in the Lone Star State, promising to give the GOP five additional seats next year. The controversial strategy is behind the recent fleeing of Texas Democrats from the state and sparked nationwide protests against a "Trump takeover" on Saturday. "NOT EVEN JD 'JUST DANCE' VANCE CAN SAVE TRUMP FROM THE DISASTROUS MAPS 'WAR' HE HAS STARTED," Newsom's office wrote on X on Saturday, mimicking Trump's habit to write in all-caps. Why It Matters The kind of trolling that Newsom is currently directing at Trump on social media is yet another step in the quickly escalating clash between the U.S. president and the California governor. Their relationship has deteriorated after Trump decided to send thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles earlier this summer despite Newsom's objections. Main image, California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the 'Election Rigging Response Act' at a press conference at the Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, California; Inset, Vice President JD... Main image, California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the 'Election Rigging Response Act' at a press conference at the Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, California; Inset, Vice President JD Vance delivers a speech during a visit to RAF Fairford in England on August 13, 2025. More Getty Images The president justified the move as necessary to contain protests in the city against his administration's mass deportation efforts, but Newsom said it was only trying to fulfill "the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president." The state of California has since sued the president for sending federal troops to Los Angeles without Newsom's permission. A trial was held last week and a decision in the case is looming. What To Know Giving Vance a nickname—"Just Dance Vance"—is just one of the many ways Newsom is imitating Trump's very recognizable social media posting style to mock the president. These include using derogatory nicknames for his political opponents, writing in all-caps and overtly and exaggeratedly praising himself for real or imaginary achievements. In Trump's social media world, the California governor is often referred to as "Newscum." In his mocking posts, Newsom has repeatedly referred to Trump as "tiny hands." This mockery has gone side by side with the California governor's fight against nationwide attempts to redistribute congressional boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterms—a strategy that is backed by Trump and his administration. Newsom has threatened to go ahead with his own plan to redraw California's electoral map should Texas and other Republican-led states reconfigure their state's congressional districts in their favor. The governor said that California will not redraw its electoral map if Republican-led states give up on the idea—if not, they can expect a tit-for-tat from the Golden State which would effectively neutralize their efforts. What People Are Saying Newsom's press office wrote on X: "NOT EVEN JD 'JUST DANCE' VANCE CAN SAVE TRUMP FROM THE DISASTROUS MAPS 'WAR' HE HAS STARTED. NOT EVEN HIS EYELINER LINES LOOK AS PRETTY AS CALIFORNIA 'MAP' LINES. HE WILL FAIL, AS HE ALWAYS DOES (SAD!) "AND I, THE PEACETIME GOVERNOR—OUR NATION'S FAVORITE—WILL SAVE AMERICA ONCE AGAIN. MANY ARE NOW CALLING ME GAVIN CHRISTOPHER 'COLUMBUS' NEWSOM (BECAUSE OF THE MAPS!). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER." Questioned by a reporter about his trolling of the president in his recent social media posts, Newsom said on Thursday: "I'm just following his example. If you have issues with what I'm putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he's putting out as president." Reporter: What's going on with those posts on X that are clearly trolling the president? Newsom: I hope it's a wake up call for the president. I'm just following his example. If you have issues with what I'm putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he's… — Acyn (@Acyn) August 14, 2025 White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Newscum's obsession is getting a little creepy at this point. Gavin will never be ready for primetime!" What Happens Next It is unclear how long Newsom and his team will continue to mock the president and his social media posting style, but the bitterness between the two is unlikely to dissipate. Newsom's time in office ends next year, and he is rumored to be contemplating a run for president.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Europe needs to treat Putin like an ‘existential threat,' Sen. Schmitt warns
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., discusses his take on the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and more on 'Fox News Sunday.'
