Fact Check: "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described the shooting of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband as a 'political assassination' during a press conference on June 14, 2025."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Minnesota where State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot. Reports indicate that this shooting is being investigated as a "politically-motivated assassination" (Yahoo News). However, there is currently no direct evidence or official statement confirming that Governor Tim Walz specifically used the term "political assassination" during any press conference related to this incident.
Analysis
The claim hinges on the specific wording attributed to Governor Walz. While the context of the shooting has been described as politically motivated, the exact phrase "political assassination" has not been substantiated by any credible sources at this time. The report from Yahoo News mentions the shooting as a politically motivated act but does not provide a direct quote from Walz (Yahoo News).
Moreover, the sources available, including the Minnesota State Portal and Wikipedia, do not provide any information regarding the shooting or Walz's comments about it (Minnesota's State Portal, Wikipedia). This lack of corroboration raises questions about the accuracy of the claim.
Given the serious nature of the allegation and the potential implications of such a characterization, it is crucial to verify the statement through reliable news outlets or official transcripts from the press conference. The absence of direct quotes or recordings from the event makes it difficult to affirm the claim's validity.
Conclusion
Needs Research. The claim that Governor Tim Walz described the shooting of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband as a "political assassination" lacks direct evidence and reliable sourcing. While the context of the shooting is being treated seriously, further investigation is required to confirm the exact language used by the governor during the press conference.
