Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith contemplates increased security after shooting of Democratic lawmakers
Share this @internewscast.com

On Sunday, lawmakers grappled with the shocking incident involving two Democratic state legislators from Minnesota who were shot in their homes, resulting in the death of one legislator and her spouse. This incident has stirred fears about the once unimaginable need for constant security for elected officials to shield them from potential dangers.

“While I don’t want to imagine needing a personal security detail at all times, it’s crucial to assess the current environment we’re facing,” stated Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith on NBC News. “Our government cannot function effectively when any of us feel threatened like this.”

Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s other U.S. Senator, openly discussed the growing hostility surrounding political life as she paid tribute to state Rep. Melissa Hortman, who lost her life in the tragic event.

“These are real people, and before you start ascribing motives or going after them online maybe you should think about Melissa Hortman’s life,” Klobuchar, a Democrat, said on CNN. “This is a person that did everything for the right reasons. Regardless of political parties, look at her face before you send out your next post.”

The attack that killed Hortman, her husband Mark and gravely wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife was a nightmare scenario for the thousands of Americans who serve as legislators across the 50 states and in Washington. They routinely attend public events with little or no security screening and live with their families in communities torn by the nation’s political divides.

The suspect, Vance Boelter, 57, was caught late Sunday.

The attacks amid a recent flurry of political violence that appears to be coming from all ideological corners.

U.S. Capitol Police increased security for Klobuchar and Smith following the attacks, which occurred early Saturday morning. Minnesota’s entire congressional delegation, both Republicans and Democrats, released a joint statement condemning the killings.

“Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants,” the statement said. “There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence.”

“Nothing brings us together more than, you know, mourning for somebody else who’s in political life,” GOP Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said on NBC. “Republican or Democrats. You know, we come together about this.”

Paul said that he himself had been the victim of political violence when he was attacked by a neighbor in 2017, as well as at the Republican practice for the Congressional baseball game where a gunman severely injured several people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

____

Associated Press writer Gary Fields contributed reporting.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Prosecutors: Man Executes Daughter-in-Law Due to Divorce Papers

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. Prosecutors say the man charged with shooting and killing…

Loved Ones Gather to Mourn Train Crash Victim, Release Balloons in His Memory

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Family and friends are coming together to mourn…

Wildfire Scorches 29 Acres at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

BLUFFTON, S.C. () – The Bluffton Township Fire District’s (BTFD) Wildland Crew…

Family Denounces Charges Against Clearwater Ferry Captain as ‘Unjustified’

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reported that the…

UCLA Resolves Antisemitism Case by Agreeing to $6 Million Settlement

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has agreed to pay more…

Young Hero: 9-Year-Old from Champaign Rescues Great Grandma’s Life

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — There is a wave of gratitude flowing through…

Nebraska Biofuel Plant Explosion Claims Lives of Three, Including Two Children, Officials Report

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Officials confirmed Wednesday that two girls and an…

Screwworm Nearing US Border, Poses Threat to Texas Cattle Industry

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The deadly parasitic New World screwworm has…

Why the Original ‘Naked Gun’ Director Refuses to Watch the Reboot

This weekend marks the return of Lt. Frank Drebin’s hilariously chaotic world…

Fans in Shock After Consecutive Passings of Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and More Celebrities

CHICAGO – Kevin Huigens wipes tears from his eyes as he looks…

French Ministers Decry ‘Excessive Force’ in Removal of Jewish Youths from Flight

PARIS – A summer camp counselor has claimed that Spanish police used…

Trump-Era Changes Coming to US Citizenship Test: Key Details

() The Trump administration will soon move forward with changes to the…