WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a shocking shooting over the weekend, authorities have arrested the man accused of assassinating a Minnesota state lawmaker and shooting another. Authorities said the suspect had a list of other potential targets, which included other politicians. Even after this incident, congressional members are still getting death threats.
“There’s no excuse,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY). “In this country we settle our political differences with each other through debate, words and elections.”
Rep. Langworthy describes the recent assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman, as chilling.
“It’s something we all have to be on high alert,” said Rep. Langworthy. “As we speak right now, I have sheriff’s deputies in front of my house. I have a fresh death threat today.”
It’s not the first-time threats have been made against him and his district offices.
“This is something you want to take seriously but each of my offices have been threatened today,” said Rep. Langworthy. “You would think an event like what happened in Minnesota would make people get a sober second thought before they open their mouth in that kind of fashion.”
In the Minnesota shooting, officials said the suspect, 37-year old Vance Boelter, had a notebook mentioning about 70 potential targets. They said the names included civic and business leaders, Planned Parenthood centers and politicians.
“This is the stuff of nightmares,” said Acting US District Attorney of Minnesota, Joe Thompson.
According to the US Capitol Police, they investigated nearly 9,500 threats against members of congress in 2024. The year before, it was eight-thousand. Langworthy said there’s disturbing rise in political violence. In 2017, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R- LA) was shot during the congressional baseball practice. The President himself was the target of two assassination attempts. Most recently, there was an arson attempt at the Pennsylvania governor’s home.
Security is tight here at the Capitol, but when members return to their home districts the Congressman said they work with local law enforcement if there’s any threat. Rep. Langworthy said violent rhetoric needs to cool down.
“Just because I disagree with someone politically doesn’t mean you should be wishing harm on those people,” said Rep. Langworthy.
