Minnesota shootings set off five-alarm fire in Congress
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Capitol Police officers patrol the U.S. Capitol ahead of then-President Biden's State of the Union address on March 7, 2024. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Members of Congress went into this weekend with their nerves already severely frayed. The shooting of two lawmakers in Minnesota on Saturday has sent those tensions over the edge.
Why it matters: In discussions with Axios on Saturday, lawmakers in both parties described growing unease on Capitol Hill about the country's increasingly volatile political atmosphere — and what it means for their security.
Zoom in: One senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions, said text chains between members were "on fire" Saturday morning after the news of the shootings broke.
- Lawmakers "are scared," the senior Democrat said, and want "addresses hidden and security updates. They won't be silenced."
- A second House Democrat said there is "heavy demand" for members to have their own personal security details.
- A House Republican told Axios they responded to the news by immediately raising the issue of members' security with House leadership.
What happened: Minnesota House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in their home in what President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi described as a "targeted" attack, Axios' Torey Van Oot, Nick Halter and Kyle Stokes reported.
- State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot in their home overnight. The suspect in the shootings was dressed as a police officer and left behind a manifesto naming many lawmakers, law enforcement said.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the shootings appeared to be a "politically motivated assassination."
What they're saying: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said he asked the House sergeant-at-arms and Capitol Police to "ensure the safety of our Minnesota delegation and Members of Congress across the country."
- "Our country is on edge like never before," he said in a statement.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement he asked the Capitol Police to "immediately increase security" for Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a post on X: "Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and every leader must unequivocally condemn it."
- A Capitol Police spokesperson told Axios they are "aware of the violence targeting state lawmakers in Minnesota" and "have been working with our federal, state and local partners," but declined to offer further details.
What we're hearing: "People are definitely at a heightened attention," a third House Democrat told Axios of their colleagues' states of mind following the shooting.
- A second House Republican who spoke to Axios said it is "important to wait and not jump to conclusions" until there is more information on the shooter's motive.
- However, they added, "if it ends up being politically motivated, [in my opinion] ALL Republicans need to come out swinging against political violence."
Between the lines: The shootings come just days after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was held on the ground and handcuffed after attempting to confront Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Los Angeles.
- The incident sent shockwaves through Congress, with one House Democrat even berating a Republican colleague on the floor to "grow a pair of balls" and urge their colleagues denounce the incident.
- Padilla brief detention came on the heels of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) being indicted over a scuffle with DHS officers and an aide to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) being briefly handcuffed.
Zoom out: While tensions have risen in recent months, members of Congress are no strangers to violence or threats of violence.
- A House member who has served in Congress for a decade will have seen colleagues, spouses and aides shot, hit in the head with a hammer, assaulted and carjacked at gunpoint.
- Threats against members of Congress have risen drastically since President Trump's first term began in 2017.
What's next: House GOP leadership was scheduled to have a virtual briefing on the shooting and member security at 4pm ET on Saturday, according to one of the House Republicans who spoke to Axios.
- Jeffries will host a Zoom briefing next Tuesday afternoon, in which House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), Sergeant-at-Arms William McFarland and the Capitol Police will brief House Democrats, according to invites viewed by Axios.
- Schumer said he asked the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Hemingway and Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to "convene a full briefing immediately when we return D.C. on member security."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional statements.
