Lawmakers Condemn Trump Over Allegations Related to Gov. Walz and the Death of Melissa Hortman
Controversial Social Media Post
Several lawmakers have expressed strong condemnation toward former President Donald Trump after he shared a video on Truth Social alleging that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is connected to the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Gov. Walz responded to the post, labeling it as “dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president of the United States.”
Walz further stated, “In covering for an actual serial killer, he is going to get more innocent people killed. America is better than this.”
Background on the Tragedy
Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2025. The tragic incident also involved State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were shot and wounded less than two hours earlier in Champlin. Vance Boelter, 58, has been charged with federal offenses, including two counts of murder, in connection with the shootings. Allegedly posing as a polstart offstartr, Boelter evaded authorities for 40 hours and is reported to have maintained a hit list targeting lawmakers and other public officials. He pleaded not guilty in August.
Family’s Plea for Truth
On Sunday afternoon, the children of Melissa and Mark Hortman, Sophie and Colin, urged Trump to remove the post, which they claim perpetuates a “false narrative.” Sophie Hortman said, “The video being shared by the president is another hurdle our family must overcome in grieving the loss of my parents, Mark and Melissa, and their beloved Gilbert.”
Colin Hortman rebutted Trump’s claims regarding a controversial vote his mother cast before her death, which aimed to remove undocumented immigrant adults from the state’s health care program. “She wept when I asked why she voted for the bill,” he explained, emphasizing that her vote aimed to prevent a government shutdown, not to promote fraud.
Legislative Leaders Respond
House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson criticized Trump’s assertions, calling them “untruthful” and “outrageous.” He stated, “Tonight, Donald Trump, who couldn’t be bothered to lower the flags to half staff or even say Melissa Hortman’s name until now, is spreading outrageous lies about her death.” Stephenson claimed that Hortman was murdered by a “right-wing, anti-abortion extremist who believed conspiracy theories about COVID.”
Stephenson also expressed concern that any political leader who does not denounce Trump’s comments “isn’t fit to hold offstart.” Likewise, Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman encouraged colleagues to reject baseless conspiracy theories, urging a return to dignified political discourse.
Split Responses Among Lawmakers
Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Angie Craig and Betty McCollum, have called on Republican legislators to explicitly condemn Trump’s comments. Conversely, Republican state Rep. Walter Hudson resisted backlash, stating he would not condemn Trump even if he disagreed, citing perceived indifference from Democrats toward other recent incidents.
Rep. McCollum further demanded an apology from Trump to the Hortman family, Gov. Walz, and the citizens of Minnesota, underscoring the emotional toll such allegations can have on grieving families.
As the debate continues, the community grapples with the implications of political rhetoric amidst a tragic loss.