Congressional leaders condemned political violence on Saturday after a Minnesota state representative and her husband were shot and killed early in the morning.
“Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and every leader must unequivocally condemn it. Our prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families as well as the people of Minnesota during this tragic time,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an X post.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X: “The targeted shootings of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman are deeply disturbing. Violence is never acceptable. Praying hard for the victims and all who have been affected.”
“The ghastly targeted shootings of Sen. Hoffman and Rep. Hortman are not just horrific—they’re acts of political extremism and an assault on our democracy itself. This is where hate and violent rhetoric lead. We must stand united against political violence in all forms—and bring those responsible to swift and full justice. My heart aches for the victims and their families,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in an X post.
Their comments follow what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said “appears to be a politically-motivated assassination.”
Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed during the incident. Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted by the same individual and each shot multiple times, Walz said.
Both lawmakers are members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.
