A Democrat senator blamed President Trump for the shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses.

“I feel like Trump has really popped the lid off of the rhetoric and the sense of hate and violence, and promoted this type of environment. It’s profoundly disturbing,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said on CNN.

“We have seen increased threats across the country. You’re probably familiar with the pizza threats. We’ve seen more of that, where pizzas or other food is delivered to people’s families that they haven’t ordered, just to say from the right wing, we know who you are. We know where you live,” he continued.

WATCH:

SICK: Senator Jeff Merkley blames Trump for the weekend sh**tings of Minnesota lawmakers

“Trump has really popped the lid off of the rhetoric and the sense of hate and violence, and promoted this type of environment. It's profoundly disturbing.” pic.twitter.com/Wf4v3oXvvU

— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) June 16, 2025

Per Mediaite:

Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were both killed while Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were wounded and are now recovering in the hospital.

The suspect in the shootings, Vance Boelter, was apprehended Sunday night near his home after what Minnesota authorities called the “largest manhunt in state history.” He’s been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

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Cops have recovered a 70-target “hit list” allegedly written by Boelter, which includes Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Ilhan Omar.

“Law enforcement appears to have assassin suspect Vance Boelter in custody in a field in Sibley County. According to radio traffic, he was tracked into the woods. When a drone flew overhead he put his hands in the air and walked toward officers in a SWAT vehicle,” Alpha News investigative reporter Liz Collin said.

“Multiple sources say he was spotted near a residence in Green Isle and began running down a driveway into the woods, wearing all black with a backpack. At one point he was tucked in the fetal position and then began to army crawl until he eventually stood up to surrender,” she added.

MORE: Multiple sources say he was spotted near a residence in Green Isle and began running down a driveway into the woods, wearing all black with a backpack. At one point he was tucked in the fetal position and then began to army crawl until he eventually stood up to surrender.

— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) June 16, 2025

ABC News reports:

Boelter, who was arrested overnight near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota, is facing federal charges including stalking and firearms charges and state charges including first-degree murder, officials said.

Boelter allegedly had firearms and a list of 45 elected officials in notebooks in his car, Thompson said.

He allegedly surveilled his victims’ homes and took notes, Thompson said. In a search of a home in north Minneapolis tied to Boelter, authorities seized a list of public officials that had a notation under Melissa Hortman’s name reading, “married Mark 2 children 11th term,” according to the affidavit. Another notebook included an added notation next to Melissa Hortman’s name reading, “Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot,” the affidavit said.

Two other lawmakers were spared the night of the shootings, Thompson revealed as he outlined the four homes that Boelter allegedly drove to early Saturday.

Boelter allegedly first drove to Hoffman’s home in Champlin, Minnesota, in a black SUV with emergency lights turned on and a license plate that said “police,” Thompson said.

Hoffman’s “chilling” security camera footage showed the suspect in a black tactical vest, body armor and a “hyper-realistic silicon mask,” Thompson said. Armed with a flashlight and a 9 mm Beretta handgun, Boelter allegedly knocked on the front door and repeatedly shouted, “This is the police, open the door!” Thompson said.

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