Fact Check: Governor Tim Walz described the shootings of the Minnesota lawmakers as an act of targeted political violence during a press conference on Saturday.

Fact Check: "Governor Tim Walz described the shootings of the Minnesota lawmakers as an act of targeted political violence during a press conference on Saturday."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, two Minnesota lawmakers, State Senator John Hoffman and State Representative Melissa Hortman, were shot in separate incidents at their homes. Governor Tim Walz confirmed during a press conference that these shootings were indeed acts of "targeted political violence" and described the incident as a politically motivated assassination attempt. He stated, “We’re cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” referring to Hoffman and his wife, who were injured in the attack, while expressing deep sorrow over the death of Hortman and her husband (ABC News, Le Monde). The shootings occurred in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, areas just north of Minneapolis, and have raised significant concerns regarding the safety of political figures in the current climate of political division (The Economic Times).

Analysis

The claim that Governor Tim Walz characterized the shootings as an act of targeted political violence is substantiated by multiple credible sources. In his statements, Walz explicitly labeled the attacks as politically motivated, which aligns with the broader context of increasing violence against politicians in the United States (ABC News, Le Monde).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include major news outlets such as ABC News and Le Monde, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The information provided is consistent across various reports, reinforcing the credibility of Walz's statements. Additionally, the context of the shootings—occurring during a period of heightened political tensions—further supports the characterization of the events as targeted political violence (The Economic Times, Yahoo News).

While some sources emphasize the ongoing investigation and the need to establish a motive, the initial characterization by Walz remains clear and unequivocal. His remarks reflect a serious concern for the safety of public officials and the implications of such violence on democratic processes (ABC News, Le Monde).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Governor Tim Walz did indeed describe the shootings of the Minnesota lawmakers as an act of targeted political violence during a press conference. His statements are corroborated by multiple reliable news sources and reflect a significant concern regarding the safety of political figures in the current climate of political division.

Sources

1. Governor Walz Responds to Mall of America Shooting
2. 2 Minnesota lawmakers shot in 'targeted' incident: Officials
3. Two Minnesota lawmakers shot in separate incidents ...
4. Two Democratic politicians shot dead in their Minnesota ...
5. Officials say suspect still at large in shooting of two ...
6. Minnesota state lawmaker killed in 'politically-motivated ...