Democratic congressional leaders are calling for heightened security on Capitol Hill after a pair of Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement Saturday afternoon said that he’s requested and received increased security presence for Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, who were both reportedly additional targets of the suspected assassin. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said in a press conference the suspect had a manifesto that “identified many lawmakers and other officials.”
Schumer added that he asked the Senate sergeant at arms and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to convene a full briefing “immediately” on member security when senators return to Washington.
Schumer sought additional security earlier this week for Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who was forcefully taken down to the ground and handcuffed after interrupting a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a similar statement, asking the House sergeant at arms and U.S. Capitol Police to “ensure the safety of our Minnesota delegation and Members of Congress across the country.”
Both Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson released statements strongly condemning the assassination, but did not weigh in on additional security for the Minnesota congressional delegation.
Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House speaker, and her husband, were shot and killed in their home early Saturday, which Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described as “targeted political violence.” A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife were shot multiple times in their home. Walz said authorities are "cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”
In an interview with a local Minnesota TV station, Hoffman’s nephew said that the senator’s wife, Yvette, “threw herself on top of her daughter” to protect her from the shooter.
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