Lawmakers shootings: Trump says calling Walz would ‘waste time’
MN lawmaker shootings: Detailed timeline
FOX 9 Investigator Nathan O'Neal provided an in-depth timeline of the Minnesota lawmaker shootings.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would not be calling Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, to offer condolences or assistance after two state lawmakers were targeted in a shooting.
Trump and Tim Walz
Big picture view:
Trump spoke to reporters early Tuesday morning aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington. Trump was asked if he had spoken to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz since two lawmakers in his state were shot.
For context:
Presidents often reach out to other elected officials, including governors and mayors, at times of tragedy, such as after mass killings or natural disasters, to offer condolences and, if needed, federal assistance.
US President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on June 17, 2025. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
What they're saying:
Trump said he hasn’t and wouldn’t be calling Walz because it would "waste time."
Trump called the Democratic governor "slick" and "whacked out" and said he's "not calling him." Trump added, "The guy doesn't have a clue. He's a mess." Trump said he could "be nice and call him, but why waste time?"
Remember:
Walz was the vice presidential running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump.
The other side:
In an interview Monday with Minnesota Public Radio, Walz said he wasn't surprised by the lack of outreach from Trump, saying, "I think I understand where that's at."
On Tuesday, Walz's spokesperson, Teddy Tschann, said, "Governor 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."
Earlier, Walz said he had spoken with Vice President JD Vance and was "grateful" for the call and had talked with former President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
"I’m always open to, you know, people expressing gratitude. Vice President Vance assured us, and he delivered, that the FBI would be there as partners with us to get it done," Walz said. "That was what needed to be done."
Lawmakers shootings
The backstory:
Two Minnesota lawmakers were targeted in shootings over the weekend, with one murdered and the other injured.
Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home early Saturday in a northern Minneapolis suburb.
A few miles away, Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife were shot and injured.
RELATED: Timeline: Minnesota lawmaker shootings and the ‘largest manhunt’ in state history
Vance Boelter
Minnesota lawmakers suspected shooter arrested
After a two-day manhunt, Vance Boelter has been arrested. Court documents unsealed Sunday night reveal more about the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot by Boelter in their Brooklyn Park home, court documents allege, while Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured in a shooting at their Champlin home early Saturday morning. Boelter will be held on $5 million bail on the state charges, court documents say. Boelter may also face federal charges.
The backstory:
Vance Boelter, 57, is the man suspected of carrying out the shootings. He surrendered to police Sunday after a nearly two-day manhunt in Minnesota.
Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, records show.
Dig deeper:
It was unclear if or how well Hoffman and Boelter knew each other.
The charges:
Federal prosecutors charged Boelter with murder and stalking, which could result in a death sentence if convicted.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from President Trump’s remarks to reports aboard Air Force One the morning of June 17, 2025, as reported by The Associated Press. Background information on the Minnesota lawmaker shootings was taken from previous KMSP FOX 9 reportings.