WASHINGTON (AP) Following the tragic murder of a Minnesota state lawmaker, members of Congress are set to participate in emergency briefings this week, highlighting escalated concerns over the safety of federal lawmakers both in Washington and in their home states. This development comes amid existing partisan tensions and is a stark reminder of the heightened risk lawmakers face today.
The suspect in this heinous crime had compiled a list of federal lawmakers in his writings, in addition to former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, whom he allegedly targeted. The attack occurred early on Saturday in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, resulting in the tragic deaths of Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding another lawmaker and his spouse in their residence.
This incident is part of a broader trend of increasing threats against members of Congress, which have more than doubled over the last decade. The alarming statistics underscore a period characterized by a series of violent attacks against lawmakers and their families. Past incidents include the shooting of Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords in 2011, the shooting of Republican Rep. Steve Scalise at a baseball practice in 2017, and the assault on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, in 2022. Furthermore, attempts to assassinate Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign spotlight ongoing threats to political figures.
While all four previously mentioned figures survived, often with life-altering injuries, these events have amplified anxieties among lawmakers regarding their safety and the adequacy of their security measures. "I don’t have a solution to this problem right now," said Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, a close friend of Hortman, who has since sought increased security. "This current state of play is not sustainable."
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy echoed these concerns, stating that lawmakers need to reassess their available security options. In 2022, the U.S. Capitol Police's threat assessment section investigated a staggering 9,474 "concerning statements and direct threats" against members of Congress, the highest figure since 2021, when the Capitol was attacked following Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. By contrast, only 3,939 threats were investigated in 2017.
Despite being high-profile figures, members of Congress have some resources at their disposal for security, unlike state and local lawmakers, as noted by Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. However, increasing security measures has proven challenging, with limited resources and funding available for personal protection for lawmakers. "Resources should not be the reason that a U.S. senator or congressman gets killed," Murphy remarked, advocating for more robust safety measures.
Rather than uniting lawmakers, the recent Minnesota shootings have fueled internal conflicts. Smith confronted Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee over provocative posts he made on X (formerly Twitter) following the tragedy, in which he appeared to mock the murder victims. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized Lee's actions, suggesting that such rhetoric was irresponsible at a time when the community was still reeling from violence.
Lawmakers were already on high alert before these latest shootings, which occurred shortly after a confrontation involving Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, who was forcibly removed from a press event with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in California. The treatment of Padilla drew immediate condemnation from fellow Democrats in the Senate.
During the anticipated security briefings, Senate Democrats plan to probe security officials about efforts to enhance safety and address broader issues of political violence. Some lawmakers, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, raised concerns about their names appearing on the suspect's list, urging for actionable recommendations to improve security measures while also advocating for a reduction in divisive rhetoric in public discourse.
