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SPEAKER 2
Hey, everybody. Tim Miller from The Bulwark here, just back from the No Kings protests in New Orleans. And we have some really tragic news overnight that I want to talk to you guys about coming out of Minnesota. We have what appears very... like almost certainly to be targeted political assassination, um, targeting democratic, uh, politicians in Minnesota, uh,
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two different politicians, uh, a democratic house speaker, uh, emerita, Melissa Hortman, uh, and, uh, democratic state Senator John Hoffman, um, and their respective spouses, uh, were shot in separate incidents at their home overnight in Minnesota. What happened essentially is that the suspects that appears at this point,
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there are multiple suspects showed up to the homes in dressed as police officers in a police car and then went on to shoot multiple times each of these Democratic politicians and their spouses. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed. So we send all our love to their family at this horrible time.

Tim Reacts To Horrific Shooting of Two Minnesota Lawmakers

Tim Miller returns from the No Kings protests in New Orleans to deliver heartbreaking and shocking news from Minnesota: what appears to be a politically motivated assassination of Democratic leaders.

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette remain hospitalized after surviving multiple gunshots. The attacks occurred in separate incidents at their homes, reportedly carried out by individuals impersonating police officers. One suspect remains at large.

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Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Shana's avatar

Going forward, there should not be one single question for Trump that is not "WILL YOU CONDEMN THESE ASSASSINATIONS?"

Of course, he is manifestly, virulently unfit, so he would likely respond "I JUST THINK THAT QUESTION IS *SOO* STUPID" or "GOOD MORNING TO THE SCUM" and his handpicked gaggle would instead ask him how he's dealing so strongly and masculinely with being abused by radical leftists.

Eff this guy and his bootlickers so hard. I hope he enjoys being remembered as our Hitler, just as insane but even more cartoonish than the OG. I don't typically visit graves (the people aren't there), but will make an exception in his case.

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John Robert's avatar

I've never seen Tim this solemn. Sadly, it was entirely warranted.

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Jim Shinn's avatar

They’re looking for a reason to install martial law.

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Shana's avatar

And the second they verbalized the idea, somebody overheard and clocked it because everything they do has to be hamfisted and comically transparent.

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Margy May's avatar

Completely disgraceful! We have truly lost our country to these megalomaniacs

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Shana's avatar

It's not lost, any more than it was when we revolted the first time. We know how to do this. He hasn't destroyed all the history books yet.

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Maggie Kidnie's avatar

I was at the “cancelled” No Kings event at the MN State Capitol along with a huge crowd. It was sad but hopeful and hats off to the organizers who had to change everything on the fly.

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Jeni's avatar

I was too and I am so glad we Minnesotans were not cowed by this asshole shooter.

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Kathleen Leary's avatar

Don’t forget that Trump joked, JOKED, about the attack on Paul Pelosi that could have very well been fatal. These people are sick.

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Jim's avatar

I can’t help but think of all the republican politicians that lied about abortion in order to win elections. Stories about selling aborted fetuses and laws legalizing post-birth abortions circulated unchallenged by conservative politicians and their media outlets. This includes Bulwark favorite, Liz Cheney.

I wish politicians and the media could present their positions with facts and reason rather than lies and smears (and yes, this applies to everyone, not just republicans) but there doesn’t seem to be any incentives to encourage this behavior.

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Shana's avatar

I think there were probably a few nervous politicians comforted by the size and number of protests this weekend. Hope can be found in the darkest times if we turn on a lamp or whatever. :)

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Kentuckistan's avatar

Texas Governor Abbott pardoned Daniel Perry for hunting down and murdering a Black Lives Matter protester because Tucker Carlson raged about it for months. Ron DeSantis and local Law Enforcement are tripping over themselves making threats of lethal retaliation for any incidents that occur during protests and vocally encouraging citizens to run people over with their cars if protesters are in the street.

Protecting and rewarding supporters: Fascist leaders and dictators often employ pardons to shield their allies and those who carry out their will from legal repercussions, reinforcing loyalty and obedience. For example, early in his rule, Adolf Hitler pardoned members of the Sturmabteilung (SA) paramilitary wing convicted of murder.

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Dudley Albrecht's avatar

I am betting the killer is bring protected by the Trump adminsitration.

If you love democracy the first thing you need to do is get a rifle and learn how to use it. Yes, I think it is coming to that.

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Linda Vanderwerf's avatar

Thank you for addressing this tragedy. Rep. Hortman did not represent me, as I live in rural MN, but I admired her. I wondered if she might be our first woman governor someday, and I'm incredibly sad it can never happen. This is a huge loss for our state. The whole day has had a surreal feeling to it, like no one can quite believe this has happened here. I think this feeling will last awhile.

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Dextersmom's avatar

Tim, thanks for the last 3 minutes of your commentary. Trump and the MAGA administration are inciting political violence. I get frustrated with generalized references to political violence without mention of the instigators and champions of it , Donald Trump, his administration, sponsors, supporters, and those who control him. It’s a lot to fight against, but resist we must, starting with what you have done here.

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Paula Shewmake's avatar

I am crying here in France as I listen to the excellent Tim Miller describe and talk about these horrible shootings and assassination. I am so ashamed of my home country at this moment, even though there are marches going on to save Democracy. They say that actions speak louder than words; please show me how I can help and act, even though I now live in France. I am so sorry that the MAGA faction has risen in America to a level that defies understanding.

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Marshall's avatar

Current affairs would seem to indicate that violence is precisely how we settle our differences here.

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Susan Zakin's avatar

Way worse now than the 60s

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Kathleen Leary's avatar

Curious how old you are? Maybe memory fades for you. I’ll be 73 soon and I remember well. I would say it was definitely worse but also different. JFK, RFK, Martin Luther King Jr., the SDS, the Black Panthers, the Weathermen, the SLA, Kent State. And overseas, the IRA, the Japanese Red Army. There was even a kind of romanticism about violent radicalism, bomb building, etc. But at least back then, people weren’t getting their information from confirmation bias affirming algorithms. The kind of hatred toward fellow humans Trump has inspired, calling immigrants vermin and Democrats the enemy within, and the perpetration of this hate through state propagandist Fox News, that is actually worse.

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Susan Zakin's avatar

I’m younger but not young! To me, this is the difference: My feeling is that Trump is taking apart the country and doing it in record time. I mean, taking it apart as if it’s a car engine and throwing the pieces away. That’s not how I remember those days, but, yeah, I was pretty young. Comparing Nixon - who bowed to pressure and left - with Trump, that’s my benchmark. Plus, the corruption now is so far beyond the ways things were then. Did you see our interview with Sarah Chayes? This goes deep.

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Gail R Kelso's avatar

Tim is right, the '60 were worse. 4 unarmed college kids gunned down, (cameras rolling) by the OH national guard at Kent State & large swaths of the country still supported the guard. But it was about monumental issues....Vietnam & civil rights.

The tragedy in MN is about what? A crazy person overdosed on MAGA.

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Chad Eslinger's avatar

Just to be clear, No Kings was HUGE in St Paul today, in spite of people who understandably stayed away. 30k+.

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Kathleen Leary's avatar

Just saw some footage posted by Suzanne from other cities and wow, Ohio must fo better! 😂

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Kathleen Leary's avatar

Wow—I think our biggest turnout in Ohio was 8,000 in Cincinnati (little Dayton where I am had 4,000+ which was pretty good). 30k would be gigantic!

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Chad Eslinger's avatar

This was about a mile from my house. I’ve been on a bus just riding home from downtown Minneapolis with Melissa Hortman, along with a bunch of normal people going home to their families. I’m furious.

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Tom Graves's avatar

Thanks, Tim. Well said.

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Suzanne's avatar

The Minnesota No Kings rally went on. I was there. There were estimated to be 80000+ people there, peacefully protesting and mourning.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

I like your new flag by the way....its got soul, god bless you all

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Diane Battista's avatar

Thank you, Tim for getting on and talking about this

In March Minnesota, SenatorJustin Eichorn took to the floor of the Minnesota Senate and put out a piece of legislation where he talked about all the Democrats suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and he wanted it to be labeled and identified as mental illness in the state of Minnesota.

About 5 hours later he was arrested in a Sexting sting and when he showed up to meet what he thought was an underage girl to have sex.

He is married and has four children . So much for the party of Christian values .

Yet this former senator is claiming now that he was unjustly prosecuted and calling for the case to be dismissed!

They have his actual text messages!

He showed up to have a sexual encounter with somebody he knew was under age!

Who else does this stuff claiming unfairly prosecuted?

And then this today

Donald Trump if everyone will remember wanted to pardon the men found guilty of plotting to kidnap and kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

This is how these people think. What happened today is once again violence due to the Republican rhetoric just like January 6.

They are the ones with the mental illness of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” wanting to be like Trump

Act like Trump

Think like Trump

Be Trump

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Diane Battista's avatar

Oh thank you for that information. I thought that he did pardon them.

They were convicted, right ?

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Linda P.'s avatar

Trump floated the idea of pardoning the Whitmer would-be kidnappers. There is no record I can find that he did so. She did ask him not to. I'm in MI and followed this all closely.

This slaughter in MN sure brought back all the nastiness in MI with armed militia in the galley of the legislature. It was legal then to bring guns into the state capitol. No more!

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Sean Biest's avatar

I just came back from from the No Kings protest in MPS. The entire day has had a weirdness hanging over it. I saw the news right after waking up and it shook me but I put on my sneakers because I had something to say. The staging area was a protest with a dose of memorial. Signs were made and remembrances given for the assassination of Melissa Hortman and her Husband. Soon after arriving me and my friends saw the posts on our phone from the governor Tim Walz advising against protesting today. But, even with my deep admiration of Tim Walz as a governor, there was not a single elected politician telling me not to protest today because I had something to say. The overcast drizzle added heavily to the feeling of mourning in the crowd but even though there was an active fugitive in the area that could be targeting this very event we marched on to the capitol because we all had something to say- WE HAVE NO KING.

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Riley Brown's avatar

Thank you for addressing this. It's been hard in Minnesota. I didn't know speaker Hortman but my friends are hurting and it meant a lot to have my favorite podcaster address this. We still showed up to rally and Melissa's work will continue.

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Dave Yell's avatar

Until I moved a few years ago, Melisa Hortman was my state representative. She lived only three blocks away from us. The Mn. state Senator Hoffman lived very close to my sons' High School, Champlin park. The assassin had a list of other Democratic lawmakers including Senator Tina Smith and manifesto in the SUV he used as a police imposter to gain entry to the victims homes. In fact he once was director of a security firm. I know it is bad to speculate. Tim held back here but I won't. Let s face it, the rhetoric from Trump, the on line social right and media demonization is a major contribution. In the near future, you can bet Trump and minions will take the offensive and say their rhetoric has nothing to do with what happened. Book it. My ex neighbor who now spends half the year in Greece and half here told me ; "I don't recognize the country anymore". A lot of us feel the same way. To quote RFK from 1968 after the assassination of MLK Jr.,"What kind of a country have we become?

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John H's avatar

My anguish over this shocking event is only compounded by the knowledge that a significant portion of our leadership in the form of the Trump administration and an abeyant Republican majority leadership does not have the capacity nor the humanity to understand, comprehend, and help us navigate through these tragic events.

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Reldas's avatar

The GOP operate like Malcolm X - by any means necessary, and they love that their enemy, the Democrats, don't.

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Jim Johnson's avatar

Thank you Tim. You approached saying it but I'll say it straight out. There is a direct fucking line between Trump and the assassinations. I'm expecting tomorrow to hear a "both sides" narrative about how "everyone" should tone things down. ONE PERSON should tone things down, and tell his underbosses to turn down the hate, cruelty and violence.

I participated in the "No Kings" protest rally with thousands of others in Harrisburg, PA today. Impassioned but 100% peaceful. Coming home, mainstream network coverage focused on the less peaceful L.A. protests. It's beyond time to call out the single source of violence in L.A., Minnesota and elsewhere in the U.S., and that's one person.

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Kvalvik's avatar

OK, please listen closely. This is important. And I know that riding high on the bull works popularity, and your own popularity is somewhat of a drug. So I’m asking you to please listen closely, the murder that happened last night, can be pardoned by our current president. And I know that Tim Miller consistently talks about his balanced approach as he is sort of still a republican., If the Republicans were still good guys, as he recalls. Nonetheless, please, take a minute and understand that it is not beyond comprehension that this president, who is neither republican, nor democrat,would pardon our murderer.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

he's still muling over pardoning the meth head crew that was about to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Wilson. They basically got arrested on their way over there to do it and we duly convicted. He said they got "railroaded" four times in a row

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Shelly P's avatar

Only federal charges as I understand pardons. State charges cannot be pardoned.

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Jim Johnson's avatar

That's true. But I think the question still should be asked of the president at the earliest opportunity: Would you consider pardoning the assassin? He likely wouldn't answer but instead lash out at the questioner. But even that would give the world the answer.

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Shelly P's avatar

Yes I agree. A sick awful person with pardon power.

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Kristin Powers (Chin)'s avatar

I clearly know nothing, but cancelling No King protests seems like exactly what this regime wanted. Horrific and yet will the Democratic Party fight now?

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Shantha Smith's avatar

It's overwhelming. So sorry for them and their families.

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Laurel's avatar

Saint Paul - thousands show up in Saint Paul despite tragedy!!

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Linda P.'s avatar

Thanks, Tim. I rely on your reporting and commentary. Please take care of yourself. It has to be especially hard covering this kind of violence.

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Terence Rafferty's avatar

I live in MSP and went to the No Kings protest at the MN Capitol. Tens of thousands came out especially because of the political murder earlier in the morning - even though we were cautioned not to go.

No kings. No fear. Resist.

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Jeffrey Gaines's avatar

The guy who pardoned 1600 criminals, many of whom assaulted police on January 6th; who urged rally goers to physically assault protesters, and said he’d pay for their legal defense; who said he wanted “one day” of heavy police violence against the opposition, Purge style…

This same guy, whose brand is nothing if not violent “retribution” against people whose only crime is trying to stop his march to dictatorship….

This same guy is now pretending to be a law and order man who is against violence.

The beating heart of Trumpism is threats of violence, use of violence for political ends, and pardoning violence done in his Satanic name. Period.

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Craig's avatar

I live one suburb away from Melissa Hortman’s hometown, it’s where my church is located. Things are dark in Minnesota today.

I’m also 71 years old and when Tim talks about dark times within my lifetime I’m not so sure the JFK, MLK and RFK assassinations were a worse time in our history. Somehow that upheaval seemed to be from “outside”, something we could counter if people of goodwill branded together. This upheaval seems to be fomented from “within” and with our President encouraging the violence these times seem so much worse and so much more difficult to combat.

We’re grieving in Minnesota.

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Lalla Ward's avatar

“…grace, compassion, humour and a sense of service…”, qualities so utterly missing from this horrible, horrible administration. A dark time indeed. What a tragedy.

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Cherie Miller Haas's avatar

There were many protests across Minnesota today, even in south Minneapolis. Nothing stops us!

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Judy B's avatar

Thank you, Tim, for posting this. Your work & your words are very useful for all of us

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PapaG's avatar

Truly tragic. No one should be surprised by this, it's been building to this point for some time now. We all hoped it would never come to this but knew deep down it would. My worst fears are becoming reality. Now I get to listen to all the insincere condolences from the GOP that has done nothing to curb the violence.

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Jeffrey Gaines's avatar

Mike Johnson recently said Gavin Newsom should be “tarred and feathered,” for the crime of not bowing to his Satanic Majesty, Trump

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max skinner's avatar

The suspect is a white guy so I guess his acts will be explained away by saying he's a mentally ill loner...no political motivation matters because he's a white loner...and people will buy it.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

Stochastic terrorism:.... refers to the public demonization of a person or group, often through inflammatory rhetoric, that incites violence from an unpredictable individual or group of individuals, while allowing the instigator to plausibly deny responsibility. The term highlights how hateful rhetoric, amplified by various media, can create a climate of fear and increase the likelihood of violence, even if the original message doesn't explicitly call for it.

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Harry Perlmutter's avatar

Well now some on the right are breaking the silence - apparently to blame the shooting on Walz’s de-masculinization of Minnesota 🤦‍♂️

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-vikings-player-blames-tim-walz-minnesota-lawmaker-killings-example-weak-emasculated-leader.amp

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Kentuckistan's avatar

right on time ..its the free school lunches by the dam Socialists that set him off

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Margaret Leonard's avatar

So deeply sad and horrifying.

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Clarissa Sr, American Grandma's avatar

🕊️ A Call from One Grandparent to Another: Stand for the America Our Grandchildren Deserve 🇺🇸

To my beloved fellow grandparents,

Today, across this great nation, generations are gathering—shoulder to shoulder in “No King” marches—to raise their voices for freedom, justice, and democracy. They are doing what so many before them have done: standing in peaceful protest to ensure that no president, no party, no regime becomes a monarch over our people.

Let us stand with them. Let us remind our children and grandchildren that this is how America has always found its way forward—through the people.

📚 From Selma to Standing Rock, from the March on Washington to the Women’s March—peaceful protest is our American tradition. It is our shield and our sword against injustice:

The 1963 March on Washington brought over 250,000 people together and helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches led to the Voting Rights Act.

The 2018 March for Our Lives, led by high schoolers, reignited national gun safety conversations.

The 2020 George Floyd protests sparked global movements for police accountability.

Each of these marches made our communities stronger. Not weaker. Not more divided—but more awakened.

🕯️ Today’s protests are especially sacred. They honor the lives of Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, good public servants who were gunned down in their homes this morning, reportedly for doing their jobs with honor and courage. They stood up for us—now we must stand for the right to speak up, without fear.

Let us be absolutely clear:

🔹 The First Amendment is non-negotiable.

🔹 Violence meant to silence speech is terrorism, not patriotism.

🔹 We do not cower—we march louder. We speak braver.

🔹 We must teach our families this lesson by living it.

📣 To every grandparent reading this:

Join a protest if you can.

Support one online if you cannot.

Talk to your family, your neighbors, your church groups.

Let them know: free speech lives as long as we defend it.

We are the roots of this family tree. Let’s be strong ones. 🌳

For our kids. For our country. For the Constitution.

With love and clarity,

Clarissa Sr. — an American Grandma

#NoKingMarch 👑❌

#GrandparentsForDemocracy

#JusticeForAll

#HonorRepHortman

#HonorSenHoffman

#FirstAmendmentForever

#StandUpSpeakOutStayFree

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Lori's avatar

Coming from MN here. Thank you Tim for making sure this gets out there. Also want people to know, our rallies still went on. We are stronger together and today we needed each other. Some speakers that were scheduled at the capitol were not able to attend, understandably so. However, many still came. Our Attorney General,Keith Ellison was there too.

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Hey Mama Warrior's avatar

Tim - thanks for your compassion and voice during these times. In MN we know we will eventually be targeted too. The No Kings protest did go on in MN. You CANNOT tell me that if we had different, competent leadership, these representatives in MN would still be alive, we would still have a solid world reputation, children wouldn’t be dying around the world, and at home, hate would not have free reign and millions wouldn’t have been wasted on golf trips, and a birthday boy parade. I know people had a variety of reasons for their decisions, including being fooled by the Enemy, but I really hope, and pray, they wake up for their salvation, and our country’s. It’s fundamentally about morals and values. How so many could have been led astray, and be complicit in rising fear, grift and hate boggles the mind. I am so sad for my state, and our country. What I saw today at the MN capital does give me Hope. Grateful for the Bulwark and likeminded, intelligent and a democracy loving community. Thanks for your kind words, insight and fighting for our country. 🔵🇺🇸💜

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Carrie's avatar

God help these families. Shame, shame, everlasting shame on the right-wing hatemongers.

WHO needs to worry about being doxxed, Kristi Noem? ICE agents? Really? Really?

I'm wondering if Kash Patel et al will quash the investigation into the perps. If they are one day convicted, will Trump pardon them?

Resistance. Nonviolent. Resistance.

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J R Houser's avatar

Remembering vividly the Watergate break-in, and following the trail back to the White House. Everything happening now seems uber-Nixonian. How soon does the pre-emptive pardon come for the shooter?

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Laurel's avatar

BREAKING: PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTORS FLOOD THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITAL DESPITE WARNINGS FROM STATE POLICE THAT THE ASSASSIN IS STILL ON THE LOOSE.

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Laurel's avatar

BREAKING: PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTORS FLOOD THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITAL DESPITE WARNINGS FROM STATE POLICE THAT THE ASSASSIN IS STILL ON THE LOOSE.

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Cathie Tilman's avatar

Despite the suggestion that people at away from No Kings gatherings, many Minnesotans showed up to protest anyway.

It is a way to honor the murdered politicians and not to let the violent, hateful partisans get their way.

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Claudia johnson's avatar

If they had a police car, are they rogue police? This event actually made me cry. This is Pure evil, I just don’t understand.

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LHS's avatar

They didn't have an actual police car. Just a black SUV made to look like a police car, with realistic lights on top of the car and lights inside the car. Sickening.

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Different drummer's avatar

Very well done, Tim; thanks.

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Page Talbott's avatar

Brilliant and sensitive. Thanks so much for your comments.

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BG's avatar

Thank you, Tim, for your moral, sensitive, and honest message. We too were at a No Kings rally as the news came out, and this tragedy made the peaceful protest even more urgent. It is telling that the two heads of the executive branch have had nothing to say thus far. This is truly a frightening time. Thank you for your courage to tell it like it is.

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Katy Namovicz's avatar

Well done, Tim. You struck just the right tone. Deep concern, compassion without the overwrought histrionics that too often accompany such stories these days. Thank you.

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Nathan Gervais's avatar

Carefully planned and executed domestic terrorism. This was not some mentally unbalanced kid looking to shoot the political leader appearing nearest to where he lived, these assassinations are darker & much more dangerous.

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Colleen C Conwell's avatar

Did It miss it? Has any member of the GOP spoken out and condemned this.

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James Richardson's avatar

I imagine they'll wait for Trump.

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Colleen C Conwell's avatar

Did It miss it? Has any member of the GOP spoken out and condemned this.

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Katy Namovicz's avatar

Nope. They're all busy shining their shoes and their noses in preparation for the stupid parade.

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Lois Snell's avatar

I’m a frequent listener and a fan of yours BUT your comparison of these events to Trump “assassination attempts” last year effectively minimizes the events of last night in that the Trump “attempts” are regarded by many as having been publicity stunts.

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Craig's avatar

I’m sorry, I am on your side. But please point me to one shred of hard evidence that the assassination attempt on candidate Trump was a publicity stunt.

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Annette's avatar

Appreciate your thoughtful words, Tim. It’s a sad and scary day here in St. Paul. Your kind, thoughtful, somber tone help. Melissa Hortman worked tirelessly with organizations that tried to end gun violence. She was instrumental in passing tougher gun laws here in Minnesota. Her advocacy often made her a target of the worst, most dangerous people in our state. It’s just devastating. She was so brave.

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James Richardson's avatar

Was Hoffman also actively anti-gun?

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Craig's avatar

It’s all speculation in the absence of hard facts.

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Julie's avatar

Well, as long as Trump gets his birthday parade and unlawful deportations, he must be having one heckuva great day. I hate this man and what he's pushing us all to become. (I know, I know.) People are dying because of him, so We the People have to keep trying. God bless America. 🇺🇲 Please. 😪

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Elliott McFadden's avatar

The No Kings rally at the Minnesota Capitol went on. We stopped to recognize the loss. It concluded without incident. It was good to be with everyone and stand against the violence.

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graceg's avatar

Powerful. Thank you and your fellow protesters for standing up in the face of such recent and horrific violence.

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Carrie's avatar

I am so glad to hear it!!

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Christina Ronnberg's avatar

Unraveling is the word

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Carole Nicholson's avatar

Has Trump even issued a statement?

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Lily who reads The Bulwark's avatar

Sort of. He posted on Truth Social. I wouldn’t hold my breath for much more. He’s too busy at his toddler birthday party.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5350808-trump-lawmakers-react-to-horrific-shooting-of-minnesota-legislators/

I don’t believe a word coming from any republican condemning this. They’ve been instigating violence for years.

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Noli Me Stulte's avatar

Of course not

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SMS DC's avatar
7dEdited

Thank you, Tim.

I would give so much if we would get a fierce and unforgiving thunderstorm in DC at the parade time.

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John Robert's avatar

No, don't wish that on the soldiers who are forced to be there, in spit shined uniforms and gear. They will be standing outdoors for at least an hour before the start time and then will have clean it all up before going to bed. As it has turned out, the pitifully poor attendance was the best response to this sick display by a really contemptible excuse for a human being.

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Bonnie Covey's avatar

Why I have not heard absolute condemnation of Speaker Johnson for his “tarred and feathered” comments? How is that acceptable no matter what the offense?? Just disgusting.

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Margaret Rose's avatar

Johnson needs to be censured.

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Katy Namovicz's avatar

No, Johnson needs to be removed. "Censure" has long since lost any meaning or power that it once might have had.

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Nancy Jernigan's avatar

I agree! It's despicable! It's tragic! Hurts my heart. I have said a prayer that the Holy Spirit will comfort the families and friends!

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Serena Mira Asta's avatar

Correction: I just came from the ongoing and massive No Kings protest at the State Capital in MN inm St. Paul. I was one of maybe 10-15,000 people. It was NOT cancelled. Rather, state patrol put out a "public safety warning" suggesting people stay home "out of an abundance of caution" since the suspect is at large. The suspect did not have a car, was on foot, and in a totally different part of the Twin Cities, though he did find handwritten notes that said "No Kings" in his car. The cancellation rumor was started by local anchors, probably because they were so shaken up by this news. The protest was more solemn, with many moments remembering Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, especially by MN Attrorney General Keith Elison. But it was a joyful and amazing event. Please stop saying it was cancelled.

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Carrie's avatar

thank you for the news on the ground.

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Serena Mira Asta's avatar

Thank you for the coverage, Tim, and for the other kind comments.

I also appreciated Edward-Isaac Dovere's post. I've been in shock from this past week of violence and threats and attacks on democracy. This assassination and attempted assassination in my state has pushed me over an emotional edge I didn't know I was near.

It was really good to be with other supporters of democracy in peaceful protest today.

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Noli Me Stulte's avatar

They told us to shelter in place. They said to stay at home for our safety, they canceled the NO KINGS march event and still Minnesota rises! The turn out in Saint Paul was fantastic. They came “even though” because this is NOT what we want.

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Serena Mira Asta's avatar

It was fantastic. And what we wanted today was to be together, be seen, and be heard.

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Margaret Rose's avatar

Great to hear that MN protest was not cancelled. Thinking of you all.

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Serena Mira Asta's avatar

Thank you, Margaret Rose.

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Sue H's avatar

Thank you Tim for your passion and honesty

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jane's avatar

Heartbreaking. 😢 💔 After returning from an inspiring No Kings protest, this.

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Lily who reads The Bulwark's avatar

Also, this should be the definitive end to masked, plainclothes ICE agents. But it won’t be.

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Julie's avatar

This is what I've been thinking about a lot.

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Sue H's avatar
7dEdited

This is horrific 🥲🥲. Sending deepest sympathies from 🇨🇦 for this heart breaking loss.

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Arctos's avatar

This is what the Second Civil War looks like. There will be no state militias and federal army fighting each other this time, just an escalating amount of political violence. With one side being shielded, supported and encouraged by the federal Maga regime and red state leaders. So far, no blue leaders have been sympathetic to any counter violence against abuses by the Maga regime. But if it gets bad enough, who knows.

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Judith Harmony's avatar

Did you say federal Maga regime or feral maga regime!

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Lily who reads The Bulwark's avatar

I hope protesters in Minnesota stay safe. This guy is still on the loose.

Edit: I just heard they were cancelled. Still sad.

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Noli Me Stulte's avatar

The big plan march portion was canceled but not the main event at the Capital. The turn out was huge. Even with the sadness and somberness of the day we still took a stance that this is not the America we want and we will not accept it.

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drlemaster's avatar

Just back from protest at Minnesota state capitol. Turnout was huge. Was a much more somber tone than we woke up expecting, of course.

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Marcella Walter's avatar

Thank you, Tim! Yes, for me this is far darker than the late sixties. Then, we still had senators and representatives who cared about our country and our citizens. And acted.

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Carrie's avatar

Yes. And everyone heard the same news, more or less. Which was factual reporting. Half the country was not in a brainwashed cult living in FAUX world.

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Rue's avatar

Corporate media headlines are shameful. The speaker didn't just die. She was hunted and slaughtered. Thank you Tim for calling what it is....murder.

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Wendy E's avatar

Sad day in America when this stuff is happening!

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JC's avatar

💔💔💔

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Joey's avatar

This happened very close to where I live, and it is tragic. But the police had a quick response and stopped this guy from escaping in his fake police car.

They need to catch this guy, he is a highly organized serial killer. This is dangerous for my state

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Wendy E's avatar

Stay safe!!

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Anita Wagenvoord's avatar

Thank you Tim Miller for your thoughtful and compassionate comments on this latest tragedy . A

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Gail Willmore's avatar

Tragic what happened. We will continue to rise up in peace and solidarity, as a people in favor of democracy, in their honor. Democracy will win 🗽

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Sue's avatar

Thank you for putting out your statement, Tim, for finding words when most of us can’t.

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Brendan Classon's avatar

Oh, Tim. The tone of your voice now was just so different, so concerned, so alarmed and so sympathetic. We are in a very dark place indeed, but “The Bulwark” continues to serve as a lonely light in the window that beckons us all home.

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Jennifer Armerding's avatar

The nyp named Vance Boelter and he owns Praetorian security services. Armed, uniformed and with identical vehicles to police SUVs, according to their website.

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Jennifer Armerding's avatar

Used firearms for their job. You’ve gotta wonder what kind of vetting one has to pass to get a license to drive a police car fully armed as a private business. He also did ‘private security’ in the Gaza Strip. 😡

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Emma Prophet's avatar

I remember 1963 and I really remember 1968. We are nowhere near the field of 1968, but I don’t wanna go back to that. The right will again do their platitudes of this is not the time to politicize this event. If not now when?

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Carrie's avatar

This was a political killing. It was born politicized.

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Julie's avatar

I remember, too. I was little when JFK was assassinated and how the television was on all day and my mom wiping away tears. I didn't really get it but knew it was bad. But I'll never forget 1968; the images from TV pop into my head more often than I like. It was so sad.

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Carrie's avatar

Same here. I remember how upset my mom was when JFK was assassinated. My grandparents lived in Dallas at the time. Sadly, later in life, she became addicted to Fox "News" and became angry, bitter, fearful, bigoted, even hateful. I know some of those things happen with aging but this was caused by a 24/7 diet of propaganda (with a sprinkling of real news).

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Julie's avatar

It is so hard when family turns like that. I didn't know my brother voted for Trump *twice* until he died. I'm glad I didn't know. He wasn't hateful, thankfully, and I loved him, but dang it's still rough. My sister and especially her husband and kids are full-on MAGA. Ugh.

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Kimberley Howlett Phillips's avatar

😢🙏🏻

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LM Rohman's avatar

this is nothing short of assassinations of elected Democrat officials by right wing domestic terrorists - let's stop tiptoeing around this. we are under a violent attack and GOP officials need to be placed on International Counter Terrorisms lists and watchlists. i'll let you decide who needs to be on those lists...it's not hard to figure that out.

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Carrie's avatar

It's an idea worth considering. Not gonna happen though.

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Lois Snell's avatar

YES!

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Daniel's avatar

There is a relatively high probability that this was done by a pardoned Jan 6er.

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James Richardson's avatar

Even higher probability some flavor of Christian nationalist/religious zealot.

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Sandra Henney's avatar

I am heartsick. Such a tragedy.

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Marie's avatar

Same here. Heartbreaking.

What absolutely warped, sick people live in our country.

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Lor's avatar

Tragedy

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Yankee White's avatar

"Happy Birthday, Mister President" sung by a fascist in jackboots instead of a bombshell actress in a flesh-toned shimmer dress.

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Jimmy Roe's avatar

We are at war

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Suse's avatar

😢😢😢😫no words, too many tears

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0:47
there are multiple suspects showed up to the homes in dressed as police officers in a police car and then went on to shoot multiple times each of these Democratic politicians and their spouses. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed. So we send all our love to their family at this horrible time.