Overview
- Minnesota police arrested 57-year-old Vance Boelter in connection with the June 14 shootings that killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and injured another senator and spouse.
- Officials including Gov. Tim Walz are calling the attack a politically motivated assassination carried out by a suspect who identified as a Trump supporter and consumed far-right conspiracy content.
- Researchers and experts link the recent surge in violence against elected officials to deepening partisan divides, incendiary political rhetoric, and the rapid spread of online misinformation.
- Bipartisan proposals are emerging to bolster protection for lawmakers, including enhanced security protocols and shielding personal addresses from public records to deter targeted attacks.
- A Princeton University study recorded over 600 incidents of harassment and threats against local officials in 2024, prompting law enforcement agencies to expand threat investigations and safety measures.