ArcaMax

When I read the shocking news of the assassinations of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with the attempted murders of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, it felt like watching a tragic political thriller unfold in real time. The Hoffmans miraculously survived 17 horrific bullet hits. We've learned that the shooting suspect, Vance Boelter, allegedly had a hit list of 45 Democratic lawmakers, and that his evil plan was to "inflict fear," according to prosecutors. Many elected officials, not just in Minnesota but nationwide, are extremely alarmed that their colleagues were maliciously stalked to be killed. The gruesome recollections of how the Hortmans were gunned down in front of their home were dreadfully described as "the stuff of nightmares" by Joseph Thompson, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.

As more news reports come out about Boelter, we wonder what caused him to descend into such darkness. I read in a CBS News story that he did some missionary work in the Democratic Republic of Congo just two years ago and that he had served as an evangelical pastor. On the outside, Boelter appeared to be dedicated to ministry and helping others. He was a family man, married with five children. Something obviously snapped for him to devise such a vicious killing spree.

Friends of Boelter who have spoken with the media said he is conservative but never seemed obsessive. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described Boelter's alleged deadly intentions as "politically motivated," and the political hate manifesting in our country continues to fuel threats, harassment, and insults toward our representatives. A 2024 Brennan Center for Justice report states that "more than 40 percent of state legislators experienced threats or attacks" since 2020, based on results gathered from a sample size of over 1,700 respondents. When evaluating threats such as stalking, 89% of state legislators and 52% of local officials were targeted. The report found that women serving in elected office were "three to four times as likely as men to experience abuse targeting their gender," and Black politicians were more likely to be targeted due to their race than their White colleagues. Social media was also used as a form of directed abuse.

The severe intimidation being directed at politicians reflects the deep polarization in our country along partisan lines. Many political science scholars would argue that we have always been intensely divided due to the historical oppression of civil rights for people of color and the fight for fair access to educational opportunities and economic resources. What we are observing now, however, is extremism in a vile form of hatred. A recent timeline of political violence in the United States shows the emergence of a disturbing pattern that includes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's mansion being set on fire, the arson investigation of the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters, and gunshots fired at the Democratic National Committee office in Arizona. We are at a critical and scary point where grave schemes to "inflict fear," as Boelter is accused of, are becoming more prevalent, which may deter potential leaders from seeking office.

Boelter's arrest as the suspect in the shootings of the Minnesota lawmakers resulted in reactions of disbelief and sadness from his church congregation. The Jordan Family Church, which Boelter attended, stated on its website that his actions do "not reflect (their) values or beliefs." As the Jordan Family is devastated by the heinous crimes Boelter has been charged with, I'm sure many are also praying that he comes to a place of sincere repentance before God. Prayer is really what our nation needs right now, as our political differences threaten to tear us even further apart. My church in Columbus, Vision of Breath with Life Ministries, has been in prayer, lifting up our legislators and those struggling in our communities. This is my prayer for the nation:

Lord God, our country is broken and in need of your life-saving touch through Christ to heal our land. Provide comfort and strength for the Hortman, Hoffman and Boelter families. Help us through the love of your Holy Spirit to put away bitterness, wrath, and anger and to show compassion and mercy. Provide our leaders with an understanding heart to discern what is right and just and enable us to stand against the evils that endanger the liberties You have graciously given us. Amen.

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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