American politician and lawyer, former Speaker of the Minnesota House
The Center for Strategic and International Studies has identified 20 domestic political attacks and plots in 2025, with 10 attributed to the far Left and eight to the far Right. Incidents have surged since the late 2010s, driven in part by responses to immigration crackdowns, and follow a weekend shooting at a Washington event attended by senior officials.
Vance Boelter has pleaded guilty in federal court to murdering Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. A sentencing date has not been set; prosecutors say the Department will not seek the death penalty under a proposed plea agreement. Boelter was captured the day after the shootings in Green Isle.
Vance Boelter has been given two consecutive life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to the 2025 attacks that killed House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Victims and families describe lasting fear as prosecutors say the acts were politically motivated. The court rejects a death sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.