๐จOne year ago today, Vance Boelter โ a self-described evangelical pastor, registered Republican, and avowed Trump supporter โ stalked Democratic lawmakers at their homes under cover of darkness, disguised in a fake police uniform and silicone mask.
On June 14, 2025, Boelter shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman multiple times as she fled through her own home, then pressed his gun to her head and fired. Her husband Mark and their dog, Gilbert, were also killed. That same night, Boelter shot Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their home, and attempted to shoot their daughter.
He left behind a kill list of over 45 targets โ a whoโs who of Democratic leadership. Among the names: Gov. Tim Walz, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Reps. Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. The list also included abortion providers and Planned Parenthood clinic addresses.
Boelter was no mystery figure. His roommate told CNN he was โa strong Trump supporterโ who voted for Trump in 2024. Public voter records confirm he participated in the 2024 Minnesota Republican presidential primary. Friends said he consumed far-right media including Infowars and attended Trump rallies.
This is the nightmare Trump built with language like calling his political opponents โthe enemy from within,โ describing them as โverminโ who needed to be โrooted out,โ and telling supporters that Democrats were โdestroying our country.โ Trump also called Democrats โevilโ and more dangerous than China or Russia. For years, Trump used rallies to dehumanize political opponents โ and Boelter was listening.
This week, Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court to six charges, including murder and stalking. He will spend the rest of his life in prison. State charges โ including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder โ are still pending.
Melissa Hortman dedicated her life to public service. She deserved to answer her own door safely. She didnโt โ because dehumanizing rhetoric from the most powerful man in the world has consequences.