Fact Check: "Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated that Vance Boelter's actions constituted a political assassination during a press conference on June 16, 2025."
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson held a press conference where he addressed the violent actions of Vance Boelter, who was charged with the murders of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. During this conference, Thompson explicitly referred to Boelter's actions as "targeted political assassinations" and emphasized the unprecedented nature of such violence against elected officials in Minnesota (source-1, source-2).
The context of the press conference was the aftermath of a two-day manhunt for Boelter, who had executed a calculated plan to attack public officials, which included impersonating a police officer to gain access to the victims (source-1). The shootings were described as a direct attack on democracy, highlighting the serious implications of such acts of violence (source-1, source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Joseph H. Thompson described Boelter's actions as a political assassination is supported by multiple credible sources. During the press conference, Thompson's use of the term "political assassination" was significant, as it underscores the severity and intent behind Boelter's actions. This characterization aligns with the broader narrative of the event, which was marked by a calculated attack on elected officials, indicating a motive rooted in political violence (source-2, source-4).
The sources reporting on this event, including the U.S. Department of Justice and major news outlets such as The New York Times and the Associated Press, are reputable and provide detailed accounts of the press conference and the charges against Boelter. Their coverage reflects a consensus on the characterization of the events as politically motivated violence (source-1, source-3).
Conclusion
The claim that Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated that Vance Boelter's actions constituted a political assassination is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Thompson explicitly used this terminology during a press conference on June 16, 2025, to describe the violent attacks on elected officials in Minnesota.
Sources
- District of Minnesota - United States Department of Justice
- Live Updates: Man Charged in Minnesota Assassination Could Face Federal ...
- Prosecutor says suspect in Minnesota lawmakers shooting ...
- Live Updates: Minnesota Suspect Also Went to Homes of 2 ...
- 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators - Wikipedia
- Vance Boelter went to other lawmakers' homes the night he killed Rep ...
- What we know about the Minnesota shootings and suspect
- Minnesota shootings suspect faces 6 federal charges and ...