Donald Trump has faced criticism for a remark he made regarding a Democratic lawmaker who was assassinated three months prior.
The topic of politically-motivated violence is gaining significant attention following the shocking daylight murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a college event in Utah. Although the motive remains unclear, Vice President JD Vance was quick to point to what he described as ‘left-wing extremism.’
Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with Kirk’s assassination. Initial reports suggest that Robinson was raised in a Republican household but had become ‘more political in recent years,’ according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors.
President Donald Trump, who described Kirk as a ‘very close friend’ and plans to attend his funeral in Arizona on Sunday (September 21), ordered all federal buildings to fly the American flag at half-mast in honor of the late media personality.
Trump has now come under scrutiny for appearing indifferent to a similar suggestion for another victim of what officials described as a ‘politically motivated assassination.’
Melissa Hortman, a Democrat and representative from Minnesota, was tragically killed along with her husband and their pet dog in Brooklyn Park on June 14 this year.
Another Democratic lawmaker, John Hoffman, and his wife were shot by the same assailant that night, but thankfully both survived, as did their daughter, Hope.
When a reporter asked if it ‘would have been fitting to lower the flags to half staff when Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House Speaker, was gunned down by an assassin,’ Trump claimed he was unaware of the incident.
He responded: “Uh, I’m not familiar. Who?”
Once the situation was explained to him, Trump stated: “Oh right. Well, if the governor had asked me to do that, I would’ve done that, but the governor of Minnesota didn’t ask me. I didn’t – I wouldn’t have thought of that, but I would’ve if somebody had asked me.
“People make requests for the lowering of the flag and oftentimes you have to say no because it would be a lot of lowering, the flag would never be up,” he added, reiterating that he would have lowered it in Hortman’s memory if requested.
The remarks sparked backlash on social media, with many finding it ‘unbelievable’ that Trump seemed unaware of Hortman’s identity.
“A special kind of evil,” one person commented on Reddit.
Another critic called him a “vile scumbag” on Twitter, with others expressing the sentiment that he ‘doesn’t care’ about Hortman.
A White House representative, when contacted, indicated that ‘obviously the President was aware’ of Hortman’s assassination, referencing Trump’s post on Truth Social.
In that post, Trump wrote: “I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.
“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
Vance Boelter, 57, is facing charges including two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty related to the incident.
He was indicted in July on six federal counts of murder, stalking, and firearms violations, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Reports indicate that Boelter had a ‘hit list’ consisting of 45 elected officials, all Democrats.
Attempts have been made to reach the Minnesota Governor for comment.