The Minnesota assassin accused of carrying out a pair of deadly shootings targeting state lawmakers has spoken publicly about his motive for the first time since his arrest, denying it involved ‘Trump stuff, or pro-life.”
Vance Boelter, 57, stands charged with the murder of Democratic State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the attempted murder of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in a separate shooting that same morning.
Authorities have described the attacks as politically driven, with prosecutors revealing that Boelter had a list of Minnesota state and federal officials, along with some of their home addresses.
The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of June 14, shocked the nation and led to widespread condemnation, including from President Donald Trump, who called the killings “tragic and horrifying.”
In an exclusive interview with The New York Post conducted from inside the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River, Minnesota, assassin Boelter dismissed speculation that his motive was inspired by President Trump or the ongoing culture war over abortion.
“You are fishing and I can’t talk about my case,” Boelter said through the prison’s messaging system. “I’ll say it didn’t involve either the Trump stuff or pro-life. I am pro-life personally but it wasn’t those. I will just say there is a lot of information that will come out in future that people will look at and judge for themselves that goes back 24 months before the 14th. If the government ever lets it get out.”
His vague remarks appear to suggest a larger backstory or motive that has yet to be revealed publicly. During a federal court hearing, Boelter made a similar statement, telling the judge he was “looking forward to court” where “the truth would come out.”
For now, the details remain murky. What prosecutors have made clear, however, is that Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer on the morning of June 14 when he approached the Minneapolis-area homes of his targets.
Wearing a face mask and a uniform, Boelter reportedly knocked on the Hortmans’ door and executed both Melissa and Mark after gaining entry. A short time later, he arrived at Senator Hoffman’s residence and opened fire on him and his wife. Both survived but sustained serious injuries.
The attacks sparked a two-day manhunt that ended with Boelter’s arrest near his rural home. Inside his car, authorities discovered several handwritten notes containing the names and addresses of numerous elected officials. Investigators say it was a targeted plot. Boelter, however, questioned the public narrative.
“Can I ask what you heard as an outside person about the note that the alleged person—I’ll say alleged person—left in that car, did you hear anything about that?” he asked The Post, seemingly casting doubt on the evidence.
Boelter has a complicated history. While he was not previously known to law enforcement for political violence, his background includes a number of minor criminal offenses. Neighbors described him as quiet and reclusive but noted he had become increasingly paranoid in recent years.
In a prepared statement released through her lawyer, Boelter’s wife expressed shock and devastation over the events.
“We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken, and completely blindsided. This violence does not at all align with our beliefs as a family. It is a betrayal of everything we hold true as tenets of our Christian faith,” she said.
Minnesota Democrats, still reeling from the attack, have rallied around the survivors and the memory of Melissa Hortman, who was remembered at a state funeral attended by President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Governor Kristi Noem.
Trump, speaking at the funeral, praised Hortman’s years of public service and vowed to strengthen protections for elected officials.
“No one in this country should fear violence for doing their duty to serve the people. We are going to get to the bottom of this,” Trump said.
“You can say whatever you want behind bars, but the evidence is piling up,” said former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy. “If this was random or personal, why did he have the names and addresses of multiple politicians in his car? Why was he dressed like law enforcement? That kind of planning doesn’t scream ‘coincidence.'”
For their part, Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota have doubled down on their calls for increased security and renewed investigations into extremist threats. Some have called for the Department of Justice to open a broader probe into potential political violence across the Midwest.
“We need facts, not assumptions,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). “Just because the media doesn’t like someone’s politics doesn’t mean they’re guilty of political violence. Let the trial play out.”
Still, the tragedy has reignited debates over political rhetoric, mental health, and the safety of public servants. And with Boelter indicating more information will come out in court, the story is far from over.
As for the surviving victims, Senator Hoffman and his wife continue to recover. In a public statement last week, Hoffman thanked first responders and pledged to return to work once fully healed.
“This has been the hardest chapter of our lives,” he said. “But we will not be intimidated. We will continue to serve.”