[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 103 (Monday, June 16, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3397-S3398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS SHOOTING

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, over the weekend, while most of the 
country slept, a gunman targeted two Minnesota State legislators in 
their homes. He pretended to be a police officer, and he gunned down 
Democratic State legislator John Hoffman and his wife. Fortunately, 
they survived and are recovering from surgery and reportedly in stable 
condition. We pray for State Senator Hoffman and his wife's full 
recovery.
  Then the gunman attacked another Democratic State legislator with 
over

[[Page S3398]]

20 years of service, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and her 
husband Mark. She and her husband leave behind two children.
  These killings are not only horrifying for Minnesota but a tragedy 
for America. This heinous act of political violence defies American 
values and democracy.
  Unfortunately, we have seen a disturbing increase in political 
violence in recent years, seemingly, as part of a misguided and 
sickening attempt to strike fear and intimidation in the hearts of the 
American people and those who engage in public service.
  Violence and hate have no place in America. Leaders on both sides of 
the aisle must speak out and condemn these violent acts. I have said 
this repeatedly, but it bears repeating: Political violence from the 
right or the left is never--never--acceptable. It is never the answer.
  We must condemn these violent acts when they happen. We also must 
speak out against the radical language we see online and even language 
coming from our colleagues.
  One Member of this body tweeted a picture of the Minnesota shooter 
and wrote:

       This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way.

  He tweeted another picture of the shooter and wrote:

       Nightmare on Waltz Street.

  Apparently, it was an attempt to blame Minnesota Governor Tim Walz 
for the shooting.
  Another one of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle tweeted 
about the shooting:

       The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, 
     violent, and intolerant is stunning and terrifying.

  To attempt to politicalize this tragedy is absolutely unacceptable. 
This rhetoric from elected officials is beyond dangerous and incites 
even more violence. It is reprehensible, and it must be called out on 
both sides of the aisle--both sides of the aisle--because in the land 
of the free and the home of the brave, everyone should feel safe 
expressing their political views, and we must never do so in a way that 
condones violence or intimidation.
  I pray for Minnesota during this heartbreaking time and vow to 
continue to denounce and combat political violence of any kind.

                          ____________________