June 25, 2025
House voted 424-0 to condemn the attack, but individual Republicans spread false claims about the killer's motives
On Jun. 14, 2025, Vance Boelter—a Trump supporter and evangelical Christian—assassinated Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in their Brooklyn Park home. Earlier that morning he shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in Champlin, critically wounding both. Boelter attended Trump rallies and friends described him as deeply religious and conservative.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) posted on X that "this is what happens when Marxists don't get their way" within hours of the shooting—falsely characterizing Boelter's ideology. Lee also posted "Nightmare on Waltz Street," mocking Gov. Tim Walz. These posts reached millions before Lee deleted them on Jun. 17, 2025, after 
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) confronted him directly.
On Jun. 25, 2025—eleven days after the assassination—the House passed H.Res.519 by a vote of 424-0, unanimously condemning the attack. Every House Republican voted to condemn political violence. The resolution honored the Hortmans' lives and called on leaders to "publicly and unequivocally denounce acts of political violence."
Elon Musk tweeted "The far-left is murderously violent" before the suspect's identity was confirmed. Donald Trump Jr., Sen. Mike Lee, and other high-profile conservatives amplified conspiracy theories claiming the shooter was a leftist activist. These false claims gained millions of views before being debunked.
On Jan. 4, 2026—seven months after the killing—President Trump shared a video on Truth Social claiming Gov. Tim Walz ordered the assassination. The "evidence" was a letter found in Boelter's vehicle that Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson called a "delusion" designed to "conceal his crimes." PolitiFact rated the claim False.
Colin Hortman, Melissa and Mark's son, asked Trump to remove the conspiracy video and apologize, stating, "My father and mother, Mark and Melissa Hortman, and their dog Gilbert, were killed by a man who believed conspiracy theories and fake news." Gov. Walz called Trump's post "dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president."
The conspiracy theories served two political aims: making the opposition appear evil and preempting claims about extremism on the right. Experts noted that once conspiracy theories enter partisan media ecosystems, they persist regardless of fact-checking. The information vacuum in the hours after the shooting allowed false narratives to spread before official information was available.
Which legislative caucus pushed for bipartisan security funding post‑attack?
Which House committee’s chair promised hearings on political violence after the attack?
Which social‑media hashtag trended among GOP critics alleging a false flag?
Which 2022 attack on a political family member was cited as precedent?
Which 2017 event served as an example of lasting security upgrades for members?
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Start QuizR-UT
D-MN
Republican
R-LA
Owner of X (Twitter)
Son of Melissa and Mark Hortman