WASHINGTON — Days after a Minnesota state lawmaker was killed and another was injured in a "politically motivated assassination," President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would not call the state's governor, eschewing a traditional presidential response to tragedies.
"Why would I call him? I could call and say, ‘Hi, how you doing?’ The guy doesn’t have a clue," Trump said, referring to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who was the vice presidential contender facing off against Trump's ticket last year. "He’s a mess. So I could be nice and call, but why waste time?"
Presidents have historically called state and local politicians on both sides of the aisle to lend their support in the aftermaths of violent tragedies like natural disasters or high-profile shootings.
Reached for comment on Trump's remarks, Walz spokesperson Teddy Tschann said Walz "wishes that President Trump would be a President for all Americans, but this tragedy isn’t about Trump or Walz."
"It’s about the Hortman family, the Hoffman family, and the State of Minnesota, and the Governor remains focused on helping all three heal," Tschann continued, referring to the families of the shooting victims.
Vice President JD Vance, who spoke with Walz after the shooting, is the only member of the administration to have called him, a source close to Walz said. Walz expressed appreciation for the coordination between federal law enforcement and Minnesota public safety officials, the source said.
Former President Joe Biden also called Walz. The men are personal friends and share a notable political connection after Biden bowed out of the presidential race, leading to former Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz’s helming the Democratic ticket.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed Saturday at their home by a gunman impersonating a police officer. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot at home and were severely injured.
The suspect, Vance Boelter, 57, was captured Sunday night after a high-stakes manhunt. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said Saturday that police found a "manifesto" in the suspect's car with the names of other lawmakers and officials, prompting several lawmakers to beef up security. An official who saw the list said it targeted prominent Minnesotans who advocate for abortion rights.
The shootings sparked renewed concerns about growing political violence. Walz has said the killings “appeared to be a politically motivated assassination.”
Trump has previously publicly blamed Walz for instances of violence and property damage in his state. He criticized Walz for his response to the 2020 protests after the police murder of George Floyd — claiming on social media that Walz "let rioters and looters burn down Minneapolis" — though NBC News has reported that he has privately praised Walz’s response.
Trump’s critics have argued that his own actions have condoned political violence. On his first day in office, Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The pardons did not make exceptions for people who assaulted law enforcement officers.
Trump has contacted others related to violent tragedies. During his 2024 presidential campaign, he attended the wake for fallen New York Police Officer Jonathan Diller. He called Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, after an arson attack this year at the governor’s home.
Such outreach is traditional for presidents. After Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in 2011, President Barack Obama called Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, to offer “the full resources of the federal government.” President George W. Bush called Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, after more than 30 people died in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007. Biden called Trump to check on his condition after last year’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In the hours after the assassination attempt on Trump, Walz also publicly denounced it.
"Violence has no place in American politics," Walz said on X at the time. "Praying for the safety of former President Trump and everyone at his rally in Pennsylvania."
Governors of both parties over time have publicly acknowledged that calls from presidents were meaningful for having demonstrated the White House's concern for their communities' hardship and offering federal support on behalf of Americans.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, told outlets that he appreciated Trump’s calling him to offer assistance in the aftermath of a 2020 shooting that injured two police officers. In 2024, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, recalled Biden’s calling to offer federal support after Hurricane Helene, saying he appreciated Biden’s telling him to call directly if he needed anything.
