Fact Check: "The early morning shootings on June 14, 2025, were described by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as 'targeted political violence' and a 'politically motivated assassination.'"
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Minnesota involving the shootings of Democratic lawmakers, resulting in the death of state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the situation during a press conference, stating that the shooting "appears to be a politically motivated assassination" and described it as "an act of targeted political violence" (NPR, BBC, Reuters). The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, was later identified and arrested after a two-day manhunt (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Governor Walz characterized the shootings as "targeted political violence" and a "politically motivated assassination" is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. During the press conference, Walz emphasized the severity of the act, stating, "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint" (NPR, New York Times). This statement reflects a broader concern regarding the increasing violence in political discourse, which Walz highlighted as unacceptable.
The sources reporting on this incident, including NPR, BBC, and Reuters, are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. They provided consistent accounts of Walz's statements, reinforcing the credibility of the claim. Furthermore, the context of the shootings—targeting lawmakers based on their political affiliations—supports the characterization of the event as politically motivated.
While some sources, like the Wikipedia entry, provide a summary of the events, they also cite Walz's statements, confirming that the characterization of the shootings aligns with the broader narrative of political violence in the U.S. today.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shootings on June 14, 2025, as "targeted political violence" and a "politically motivated assassination" is accurate. This characterization is supported by multiple credible sources and reflects the serious nature of the incident as an attack on democratic representatives.
Sources
- Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota
- Suspect in Minnesota political shootings had 'fantasy' ...
- Minnesota shootings: Police name suspect
- Minnesota manhunt underway for suspect in deadly ...
- 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators
- Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting
- Minnesota lawmakers targeted in deadly 'politically motivated ...
