Fact Check: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shooting of two lawmakers as 'targeted political violence' and called it a 'politically motivated assassination' on June 14, 2025.

Fact Check: "Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shooting of two lawmakers as 'targeted political violence' and called it a 'politically motivated assassination' on June 14, 2025."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the tragic shootings of two state lawmakers, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and State Senator John Hoffman. In his statements, he characterized the incidents as an "act of targeted political violence" and referred to the shooting of Hortman and her husband as a "politically motivated assassination" (source-1, source-4). The shootings occurred in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, where Hortman was killed, and Hoffman was injured along with his wife (source-2, source-3).

The suspect, identified as Vance Luther Boelter, is believed to have targeted these lawmakers due to their political affiliations, as indicated by the presence of a list of potential targets found in his vehicle (source-2, source-4).

Analysis

Governor Walz's characterization of the events as "targeted political violence" and a "politically motivated assassination" aligns with the sentiments expressed by other political figures and commentators following the shootings. The term "politically motivated assassination" suggests a deliberate act aimed at harming individuals due to their political roles, which is supported by the context of the shootings and the suspect's background (source-3, source-8).

However, while Walz's statements are accurate in describing the nature of the violence, the term "assassination" carries specific connotations that imply a calculated and premeditated act, which may not yet be fully substantiated by the ongoing investigation. The police have not publicly confirmed the motive behind the shootings, leaving some ambiguity regarding the extent to which they can be classified as politically motivated assassinations (source-4, source-5).

The sources utilized in this analysis are credible, including major news outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and Associated Press, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the potential for bias exists, particularly in the framing of the events as politically motivated, which may reflect the heightened tensions in U.S. politics today (source-6, source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shooting of two lawmakers as "targeted political violence" and called it a "politically motivated assassination" is Partially True. While Walz did use both phrases in his statements regarding the shootings, the full context of the investigation and the motivations behind the attacks remain unclear. Therefore, while the characterization aligns with the nature of the events, the implications of "assassination" may require further substantiation as the investigation unfolds.

Sources

1. Minnesota Shootings Live Updates: Manhunt Continues for ...
2. Minnesota shootings: Police name suspect
3. Minnesota manhunt underway for suspect in deadly ...
4. Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting
5. Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota - The New York Times
6. What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers
7. Live updates: Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter remains ...
8. Minnesota lawmaker and her husband killed in politically motivated ...