Trump amplified conspiracy theories about lawmaker murders online
Trump amplified conspiracy theories about the lawmaker murders on social media.
Event / Security
Minnesota Lawmaker Attacks June 2025
Vance Boelter conducted coordinated attacks on Minnesota Democratic lawmakers on June 14, 2025, killing House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Boelter, disguised as a police officer, visited multiple lawmakers' homes. He was arrested after a two-day manhunt and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to six federal charges.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Jul, 01:00 UTC
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What happened
Attacks sparked largest police manhunt in Minnesota history lasting two days
The June 14, 2025 attacks on Minnesota lawmakers sparked the largest police search in state history. Vance Boelter was arrested near his home in Green Isle, Minnesota after a two-day manhunt.
Boelter faces additional state charges including murder, attempted murder, and impersonating a police officer
In addition to federal charges, Vance Boelter faces state charges in Minnesota including two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty. These state charges were placed on hold pending his federal case.
Boelter spent months stalking and identifying his targets before the attacks
Vance Boelter admitted in court that he spent months identifying and stalking his targets before driving to their homes in the middle of the night on June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer with the intention of killing them.
Hortman family's golden retriever was shot and euthanized during the attack
During the June 14, 2025 attack on the Hortman home, Vance Boelter shot the family's golden retriever, gravely injuring the animal. The dog subsequently had to be euthanized.
Vance Boelter sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years for killing Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark
Vance Boelter, 59, was sentenced on July 23, 2026 to two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in June to six federal charges related to the June 14, 2025 murders of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their Minneapolis-area home. Boelter pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of stalking, and two counts of federal firearms offenses.
Federal prosecutors declined to seek death penalty; Boelter agreed to maximum sentence short of capital punishment
The Department of Justice initially left open the possibility of seeking the death penalty against Vance Boelter but ultimately decided against a capital punishment recommendation. Boelter pleaded guilty to six federal charges to avoid the death penalty, agreeing instead to two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years, which prosecutors and federal defenders said was the maximum sentence he could receive short of the death penalty.
Hoffman and family filed personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April 2026
State Sen. John Hoffman and his family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Vance Boelter in April 2026 for injuries sustained during the June 14, 2025 attack.
Vance Boelter also critically wounded Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in same-day attacks
On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter shot and critically injured Democratic Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home in Champlin, Minnesota. The couple was shot a combined 17 times just after 2 a.m. Both survived but sustained serious injuries and ongoing trauma.
Conspiracy theories about the murders circulated online and were perpetuated by President Trump
Following the June 2025 murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, conspiracy theories gained traction online, some perpetuated by President Donald Trump. The Hortman children in January publicly called on Trump to remove a post on Truth Social that promoted a conspiracy theory alleging that Governor Tim Walz and alleged fraud in Minnesota's state welfare programs were tied to Melissa and Mark's deaths. There is no evidence of either claim.
Boelter impersonated police officer and visited homes of multiple Minnesota lawmakers with intent to kill
Vance Boelter disguised himself as a police officer by wearing a tactical uniform, silicone mask, and driving a vehicle with a 'POLICE' license plate. He visited the homes of at least four Minnesota lawmakers on June 14, 2025. He successfully attacked the Hoffmans and Hortmans. He also visited the home of Democratic State Rep. Kristin Bahner, but she was on vacation. At another legislator's home, he was spooked when a police officer approached him in his car.
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2 alternative perspectives
Hoffman family sues Boelter in civil lawsuit for damages
Hoffman family sued Boelter civilly in April 2026 for attack injuries and damages.
Lawmaker killer receives two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years
Boelter sentenced to life plus 40 years for killing Minnesota House Speaker Hortman and her husband.