In the wake of a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, on June 14, 2025, the issue of escalating threats against elected officials has taken center stage. During an emergency Senate briefing on June 17, 2025, U.S. Capitol Police and Senate security officials warned that threats against members of Congress have “dramatically increased” in recent years. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection, stating, “That means we need more protection.” This alarming trend, coupled with a string of violent attacks on lawmakers, underscores a growing crisis that threatens the safety of those serving in public office and the stability of American democracy.
A Surge in Threats
The numbers are staggering. In 2024, the U.S. Capitol Police investigated 9,474 “concerning statements and direct threats” against members of Congress—the highest since 2021, when the Capitol was attacked by supporters of then-President Donald Trump following his 2020 election defeat. For comparison, in 2017, the number of investigated threats was 3,939, showing that credible threats have more than doubled in less than a decade. This spike reflects a broader pattern of political violence targeting elected officials across the political spectrum.
The Minnesota shooting, where a suspect with a list of Democratic lawmakers in his writings allegedly killed Hortman and her husband and wounded another lawmaker and his wife, has heightened fears. The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, a registered Republican and devout evangelical Christian, has been described as a Trump supporter who attended campaign rallies. His actions have reignited concerns about the safety of lawmakers, particularly when they are at home, away from the fortified security of Washington, D.C.
A History of Violence
The Minnesota tragedy is not an isolated incident. Over the past decade, several high-profile attacks have shaken the political landscape:
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In 2011, Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot and wounded at a constituent event in Arizona.
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In 2017, Republican Rep. Steve Scalise was seriously injured during a congressional baseball practice near Washington.
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In 2022, Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked in their San Francisco home.
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In 2024, two separate assassination attempts targeted Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.
These incidents, along with countless close calls, have left lawmakers rattled. Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, a friend of Hortman’s who received increased security after the shooting, admitted, “I don’t have a solution to this problem right now. This current state of play is not sustainable.”
The Challenge of Resources and Partisanship
Despite the rising threats, lawmakers face challenges in securing adequate protection. While new funding has been allocated for home security measures, it’s unclear how many lawmakers have utilized it or whether the funds are sufficient. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut stressed, “Resources should not be the reason that a U.S. senator or congressman gets killed.” Yet, GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas noted that balancing security needs with available resources remains a hurdle, cautioning against overreacting to the threat.
The Minnesota shooting has also deepened partisan divides. Sen. Tina Smith confronted Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee over posts on X that mocked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and suggested the killings were a result of “Marxists” not getting their way. Former President Trump, now back in office, dismissed the idea of reaching out to Walz, calling him “a mess” and questioning the need for a condolence call. Such rhetoric has drawn criticism from political experts like Harvard’s Steve Levitsky, who argues that inflammatory language and actions, including Trump’s pardoning of January 6 rioters, have created an atmosphere that “encourages political violence.”
A Broader Trend of Political Violence
The rise in threats isn’t limited to federal lawmakers. State officials, like those in Minnesota, often lack the resources available to their federal counterparts, making them particularly vulnerable. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon called political violence “a sickness” that is spreading across the country, pointing to recent incidents like assassination attempts on Trump, an arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, and the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who has faced swatting attacks and bomb threats at her home, described these events as “a devastating reminder of the reality that we’re living in.”
Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge that the heated political climate, amplified by online vitriol and polarized rhetoric, is fueling this violence. Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, noted that death threats and violent rhetoric are now “pretty regular” for members of Congress. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, lamented that the “volatility” in political discourse has led to a loss of civility, resulting in “grave consequences.”
Searching for Solutions
Lawmakers are grappling with how to address this crisis without compromising their ability to serve. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called for more resources and real-time investigations of threats, arguing that they are too often dismissed as pranks. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington emphasized the need to take stronger action against tactics like swatting, while Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia highlighted the many ways lawmakers are being targeted.
The challenge, as Rep. Huffman put it, is to confront authoritarianism and political extremism “without contributing to this ladder of escalation that could lead to violence.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, shaken by the shootings, has gone so far as to advise citizens to avoid political events for their safety, a stark reflection of the current climate.
A Call for Unity
The escalating violence against elected officials is a chilling reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions. Minnesota’s Steve Simon urged Americans to reject political violence and settle differences “lawfully, peacefully, and ultimately at the ballot box.” As lawmakers mourn their colleagues and grapple with their own safety, the nation faces a critical question: Can we dial back the rhetoric and restore civility before more lives are lost?
Political violence is not just a threat to individual lawmakers—it’s a threat to the very foundation of democracy. Without meaningful action to address this crisis, the cycle of fear and division will only deepen.