Dem Governors Rally Behind Walz and Slam Trump For ‘Hateful Lies’ Suggesting Minnesota Gov Ordered Political Hit

The Associated Press

Democratic governors are rallying behind Gov. Tim Walz (R-MN) on Sunday after President Donald Trump retweeted a post suggesting Walz was responsible for the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D).

Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed last summer at their home by a man posing as a police officer. Also shot allegedly by the same man were Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. They survived but faced lengthy recoveries.

Police arrested and indicted 58-year-old Vance Boelter on state and federal charges of stalking and murder. Authorities have not named any other suspects in the shootings.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, and vice chair Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) released a statement Sunday condemning the outrageous speculation. It read, in part, “We stand with Governor Walz and we urge our colleagues, regardless of party, to join us in speaking out against this disgusting attack that only makes Americans less safe.”

Walz also condemned Trump on X, writing, “Dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president of the United States. In covering for an actual serial killer, he is going to get more innocent people killed. America is better than this.”

YouTuber Nick Shirley, who worked with MAGA politicians to “reveal” Somali fraud in Minnesota, picked up Trump’s lead Sunday, writing to Walz, “Why was she killed after speaking out against illegal migrants? Was she a threat to you and your fraudster scheme? RIP TO MELISSA HORTMAN.”

Walz responded, “My opponents have been celebrating this far-right YouTuber as a groundbreaking journalist. Here he reveals who he really is: a delusional conspiracy theorist.”

Republican Minnesota Sen. Julia Coleman also threw her support behind Walz, writing, “When leaders across the country—from state senators like me to voices in every corner—repeatedly call for an end to baseless conspiracy theories, it’s a powerful signal: we must all reject this behavior outright and refuse to tolerate it.”

When asked about Trump’s post by The Forum News Service, Republican Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth said, “Melissa Hortman was a friend and colleague, and her life was cut short far too soon in an unspeakable act of evil by a deranged killer.”

“She should still be here, and the man who took her life should spend the rest of his life in prison,” Demuth added.