Political Terrorism Comes to Minnesota: Democratic Lawmakers Targeted in Coordinated Assassination Plot

Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman in grave condition in ‘targeted political violence’

When political violence reaches the point of door-to-door executions, we’re no longer talking about polarisation; we’re witnessing the collapse of democratic norms in real time.

Minnesota woke up Saturday to the kind of political terrorism that transforms democracies into battlegrounds. A gunman impersonating a police officer executed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home, then attempted to murder State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a coordinated assassination campaign that has left one Democratic lawmaker dead and another fighting for life.

This wasn’t random violence or political rhetoric gone too far. This was methodical, premeditated terrorism designed to eliminate Democratic legislators through systematic execution. The suspect, still at large, came prepared with fake police credentials, a vehicle designed to look like a patrol car, and a target list containing “many lawmakers”—a hit list that suggests this was intended as the opening act of a broader campaign of political murder.

The Anatomy of Political Terrorism

The sophistication of this attack reveals planning that goes far beyond individual grievance. The gunman didn’t simply show up with a weapon—he crafted an entire false identity as a law enforcement officer, complete with vest, badge, Taser, and police vehicle with emergency lights. This level of preparation suggests either extensive planning by an individual or coordination with others who understood how to exploit public trust in law enforcement.

The tactical approach was equally calculated. Rather than attempting mass casualties, the suspect targeted specific Democratic lawmakers at their homes in the early morning hours when they would be most vulnerable. The door-to-door methodology—knocking and asking victims to come outside—exploited both the fake police persona and basic human courtesy to create killing opportunities.

Governor Tim Walz’s characterization of this as “targeted political violence” and a “politically-motivated assassination” cuts through any pretense that this represents anything other than domestic terrorism aimed at Democratic officials.

The Execution Timeline

The timeline reveals the systematic nature of this assault on democratic institutions. At 2 a.m., the gunman struck Senator Hoffman’s home in Champlin, shooting both Hoffman and his wife multiple times. Both survived and underwent surgery, with Walz expressing cautious optimism about their recovery from what he termed an “assassination attempt.”

By 3:35 a.m., police proactively checking on Representative Hortman discovered the suspect at her Brooklyn Park home, dressed as a police officer and emerging from the house. The timing suggests Hortman and her husband were already dead when officers arrived—the suspect had completed his mission at that location.

The gunfight that followed, with the suspect firing at real police officers before escaping on foot, demonstrates the level of commitment to this campaign of political violence. This wasn’t someone acting in panic or desperation—this was someone prepared to engage law enforcement to continue their killing spree.

The Target List Discovery

Perhaps most chilling is the discovery of a target list in the suspect’s fake police vehicle. Authorities confirmed the list contained “many lawmakers,” including the victims already attacked. This transforms what might have been viewed as isolated incidents into clear evidence of a broader assassination campaign targeting Democratic officials.

The fact that security resources have been immediately dispatched to protect those named on the list indicates authorities are treating this as an ongoing threat rather than completed violence. Somewhere in Minnesota, a terrorist with a specific plan to execute Democratic lawmakers remains free and potentially preparing for additional attacks.

The suspect’s impersonation of law enforcement creates broader implications for public safety and trust in institutions. Police are now warning community members to call 911 to verify any officer who comes to their door—advice that would have seemed paranoid weeks ago but now represents basic survival strategy in a political environment where assassins dress as police.

This tactical choice reveals strategic thinking about how to exploit public trust. By impersonating law enforcement, the suspect could approach homes without triggering immediate suspicion and gain access to victims who might otherwise have been protected by basic security precautions.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the agency is “fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she’s “closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers.”

“This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said in a statement.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., called the victims close friends and said they’re “devoted to their families and public service.”

“This is a stunning act of violence. I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time,” she said. “My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families.”

Hortman was the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, formerly the Minnesota Democratic party chair, said he’s friends with both Hoffman and Hortman.

Martin wrote on social media that he’s “completely heartbroken” and “praying hard for both families.”

With the manhunt ongoing, police are urging community members to be cautious. Police warned, if an officer comes to your door, call 911 to confirm that the officer is supposed to be there.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Paul Knaggs