By Staff Writer
The Independent Penn
Published: June 14, 2025
BROOKLYN PARK, MN — A sitting state lawmaker and her husband are dead, another senator and his wife hospitalized, and investigators are now piecing together a disturbing picture of political violence in America’s heartland—violence with alleged ties to far-left extremism and a former appointee of Minnesota’s Democrat Governor, Tim Walz.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a longtime Democrat and former Speaker of the House, made headlines last week when she cast a surprising vote siding with Republicans to repeal taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants. She was the only member of her party to take that stand.
Days later, she was gunned down in her home—along with her husband—by a man dressed as a law enforcement officer. That man, Vance Luther Boelter, is now in custody and facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted assassination of a public official.
But this wasn’t just a random act of violence. Authorities and elected officials are now calling it what it is: a politically motivated assassination.
A Direct Connection to the Governor
According to state records, Boelter was previously appointed by Governor Tim Walz to serve in a mid-level capacity on a state housing advisory board. While it’s unclear whether Walz had any ongoing relationship with Boelter, the connection raises serious questions about vetting, extremism, and accountability in state government.
Boelter has been identified as a participant and apparent organizer in a growing far-left movement known as “No Kings”, a radical anti-government, anti-establishment group that has organized protests and “autonomy” rallies in Minneapolis and beyond.
“No Kings” has been known for its hostility toward both Republicans and moderate Democrats, frequently calling for a total breakdown of traditional institutions. The group’s rhetoric blends anarcho-leftism with class warfare, and in recent months has taken a sharp anti-immigration enforcement stance—claiming that “borders are violence” and “citizenship is privilege.”
Boelter reportedly left behind a manifesto referencing the No Kings ideology, according to law enforcement sources. The document included references to “traitors in the House” and “collaborators of the fascist state,” echoing terminology used at No Kings events in recent months.
Targeted for Her Vote?
The timeline is hard to ignore. Rep. Hortman voted to repeal state benefits for illegal immigrants on Thursday. Her home was invaded on Saturday night. Police say the attacker used fake police credentials to gain access to the property.
Just hours later, State Senator John Hoffman, who also voted in favor of the repeal, was attacked in a separate incident. Both he and his wife were shot and seriously wounded. Authorities have confirmed that Boelter is suspected in both incidents, and they’re now investigating a hit list with as many as 70 names of state officials.
Where’s the National Outrage?
While Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the attacks, calling them “heinous” and “unthinkable,” his administration has yet to comment on Boelter’s appointment, or whether any oversight failures may have contributed to this tragedy.
At the national level, most major networks have reported the incident—but few have emphasized Rep. Hortman’s immigration vote, or Boelter’s ideological affiliations. Instead, coverage has largely centered on mental health or lone-wolf theories, ignoring the political motivations that law enforcement now acknowledges were central to the attacks.
This silence is dangerous.
Because when a sitting lawmaker is murdered after taking a politically unpopular vote—especially one that challenges the far-left consensus on immigration—it demands more than sanitized headlines. It demands accountability. And it demands that Americans recognize political violence for what it is, no matter where it comes from.
A Line Must Be Drawn
This isn’t just about partisan politics. It’s about preserving the rule of law, the integrity of our institutions, and the safety of those who serve.
Rep. Hortman was not a conservative. She was a Democrat. But she showed courage in standing alone, crossing the aisle to do what she believed was right for Minnesota taxpayers. For that, she was allegedly targeted and executed.
If we don’t call this out—if we let political violence become an accepted consequence of disagreement—we lose more than lives. We lose the foundation of a free republic.
We mourn the loss of Rep. Hortman and her husband. We pray for Senator Hoffman and his wife. And we call on elected leaders at every level to reject extremism, investigate these ideological networks, and restore safety to public service—before it’s too late.
