Bipartisan Horror. Indian American Lawmakers Join Condemnation Of Political Murders In MN

Photos: FBI

India-West News Desk

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – On June 14, Minnesota was rocked by a horrific act of political violence: the assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman, a former House Speaker, and her husband, along with the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The attack, which Governor Tim Walz swiftly labeled a “targeted political attack,” has sent shockwaves across the nation, eliciting bipartisan horror and widespread condemnation.

Governor Walz was among the first and most vocal, immediately calling the killings of Rep. Hortman and her husband a “politically motivated assassination” and an “unspeakable tragedy.” He emphasized that “peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.”

House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) called the attack an “unimaginable tragedy,” highlighting Rep. Hortman’s bipartisan respect. The Minnesota Congressional Delegation, including Sens. Klobuchar (D) and Emmer (R), issued a joint statement. They condemned the “horrible attack on public servants,” asserting “no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence.” They also offered prayers for the Hoffmans and mourned the Hortmans

In the wake of this devastating event, Indian American lawmakers and leaders across the political spectrum expressed profound shock and sorrow, unequivocally condemning the violence.

Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called the killings “horrific and unacceptable.” She wrote on X, “My heart goes out to their families, the communities they represent, and all of MN. Every one of us must condemn political violence that threatens everything our democracy stands for.”

Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) stated, “The nation is waking up to terrible news this morning. My deepest prayers are with the families of the two lawmakers shot. Political violence like this has no place in our nation and must be unequivocally condemned.”

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) was “horrified” by the shootings, writing, “Political violence has no place in America. Today I am praying for their families, Minnesota, and our entire nation.”

Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) expressed his horror at the murders, stating, “I’m horrified by the murder of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. This is a tragedy for Minnesota and our nation. Praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife’s recovery.”

Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) noted that the shootings reflect a disturbing trend, asserting, “There is no justification for violence ever, and this follows a disturbing trend of political violence.”

On the Republican side, Ohio’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also weighed in, stating, “Political violence is never acceptable in America — period. We hope the perpetrator is held fully accountable under the law. Very sad to hear that Representative Hortman and her husband lost their life. Our condolences to their family.”