On Saturday, June 28, 2025, numerous political figures gathered at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, including the much-debated ex-Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden, drawing attention for being present rather than adding anything of substance themselves. The event marked the solemn funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman, prominent figures in Minnesotan politics. Both were tragically killed in an act labelled an ‘assassination’ by Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor, two weeks before the funeral. In this shocking incident, a man desguised as a police officer also seriously injured a state senator and his wife.
The late Melissa Hortman, who served as the Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker, is being commemorated for her tenure in political circles. Perhaps fortuitously, the likes of Biden and Harris were mere silent observers among the many attendees, totaling over a thousand. Their silence almost felt ironic, given their previous roles as primary representatives of the nation. However, this comes as no surprise given their dismal performances in their respective roles.
The sombre event, focusing on the late Hortmans, gave Joe Biden and Kamala Harris an escape from asserting any political leadership, as they quietly sat in the front row without uttering a word. Harris noteworthy stance, as she was gubernatorial colleague Tim Walz’s running mate back in 2024. The event looked more like a show of faces rather than a genuine gathering of mourning and remembering the dead.
The late Melissa Hortman is known for having had a hand in liberal initiatives like free lunches for public school students during the momentous 2023 session as the chamber’s speaker. Some argue that her impact was significant, with clarified rights for abortion and trans, though these remain divisive topics within broader public discourse due to persistent debates about ethical implications and budget priorities.
In a year where the House evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, Hortman willingly gave up her position to a Republican under a power-sharing arrangement. Such a move may seem altruistic or strategic depending upon one’s political perspective – what’s clear is it created a unique situation where she became termed ‘speaker emerita’. Her subsequent role in resolving a contentious budget stalemate perhaps showed her knack for diplomatic discussions – those who disagree with her methods may cite the crisis itself as a product of poor governance.
Governor Walz held the late Melissa Hortman in high regard. Her mission, as he recounted, was to do as much good as possible for as many individuals as she could. Yet critics argue that the ‘good’ she sought to create was controversial- notably, with her liberal policies clashing with more conservative attitudes towards social issues and her failure to significantly sway her fellow politicians.
She never made anyone feel that they’d gotten rolled at a negotiating table, Walz said eloquently about Melissa Hortman. This attribute, to her credit or disapproval depending upon one’s perspective, was a key feature of her public persona. Nonetheless, critics could argue that this can also suggest a lack of assertiveness or persuasive policy making on Hortman’s part.
The veiled suggestion by Governor Walz that the Hortmans should be honoured by emulating their choices and behaviours was not without its political undertones. While no doubt emotional, Walz’s plea runs dangerously close to turning a tragic event into an endorsement of political lifestyles and stances, which not all would agree with, nor are necessarily in the best interests of the broader public.
According to The Rev. Daniel Griffith, who led the funeral, the nation requires profound healing. Yet, sadly, Minnesota has become a epicentre for racial injustice and political violence, a glaring indictment of the local political leadership’s repeated failures. Despite this sobering reality, Griffith optimistically painted Minnesota as a potential site for renewal, justice, and healing, a hopeful but questionable sentiment given recent developments.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese offered his sympathies to the Hortmans’ grieving family. It was already well-known how proud the Hortman couple were of their adult children, Sophie and Colin Hortman. This news throws into sharp relief the tragically senseless loss of their parents and the difficult journey ahead.
During the ceremony, Colin shared the Prayer of St. Francis, always carried in his mother’s wallet, which he claims encapsulates her true essence. However, the real-world implications of her policies and political actions reflect a more complex picture of her persona than a single prayer could ever convey.
After the solemn service, Governor Walz provided the Hortman children with U.S. and Minnesota flags that were flown over the Capitol on the day their parents’ lives sadly ended. A poignant moment that starkly highlights the irreparable damage political violence inflicts not only on individuals directly affected, but also on the very fabric of a society.
The person suspected of causing this immense tragedy, Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, made a brief court appearance and is due back next Thursday. States’ largest search operation led to his arrest a day after the incident. Despite the grievous charges he faces, which include federal death penalty, Boelter yet to enter a plea.