Fact Check: Governor calls Hortman's murder a 'political assassination'.

Fact Check: "Governor calls Hortman's murder a 'political assassination'"

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement regarding the murder of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. In her statement, she referred to the incident as an "unspeakable tragedy" and emphasized that "political violence has no place in our democracy" (Gov. Lujan Grisham issues statement on assassination of ...).

Additionally, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the attack on Hortman and her husband as a "politically motivated assassination" during a press conference (What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers). This characterization aligns with the broader context of political violence that has increasingly affected public officials in the United States.

Analysis

The claim that Governor Lujan Grisham called Hortman's murder a "political assassination" is substantiated by her statement, which explicitly addresses the nature of the violence as politically motivated. The use of the term "assassination" is significant, as it underscores the targeted nature of the attack against a political figure, which is a serious concern in the current political climate.

Governor Walz's comments further reinforce this characterization, as he explicitly labeled the attack as a "politically motivated assassination" (Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband killed in attack). This consistent use of the term "assassination" by multiple governors lends credibility to the claim that the murder was politically charged.

Both governors' statements were made in the context of a broader discussion about the implications of political violence in the United States, which has been a growing concern among lawmakers and citizens alike. The reliability of these sources is high, as they are official statements from state governors, who are expected to address such incidents with accuracy and sensitivity.

Conclusion

The claim that Governor Lujan Grisham referred to the murder of Melissa Hortman as a "political assassination" is True. Both she and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz used the term "assassination" in their statements, emphasizing the political motivations behind the tragic event. This consistent language from multiple credible sources supports the validity of the claim.

Sources

1. Gov. Lujan Grisham issues statement on assassination of ...
2. Statement by Governor Murphy on Targeted Shooting ... - NJ.gov
3. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband killed in attack
4. What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers
5. Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. Hoffman and wife ...
6. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman ...
7. Governor Walz issues statement of assassination of Hortman