On a gloomy afternoon of June 27, 2025, the erstwhile President, Joe Biden, found himself in the company of the mourning Minnesotans. They had gathered in droves at the State Capitol to bid their last goodbyes to Rep. Melissa Hortman, her spouse Mark, and their cherished golden retriever, Gilbert.
While paying respects to the departed is a sensitive gesture, it was peculiar to see Biden among the attendees, considering his history of political decisions. He navigated the mourning crowd with an air of detached courtesy, seeming out of place in the solemn environment.
Tragically, the Hortman family and their pet had fallen victim to an unforgivable act of violence a fortnight ago. This incident had rippled shockwaves through Minnesota, leaving its citizens shaken and grieved.
The mourners included not only the ordinary citizens of Minnesota but also its Governor, Tim Walz. Under the heavy pall of sorrow, the Capitol resonated with hushed whispers and sobs.
Upon entering the Capitol around 4:20 p.m., Biden was guided towards the Hortman memorial. He briefly stood before the caskets of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and the urn carrying the ashes of Gilbert.
Turning his back to the mourning Hortmans, Biden borrowed a page from the book of faith, performed a sign of the cross. After observing a moment of silence, Biden retreated from the hallowed space, leaving an air of discomfort in his wake.
Exiting the rotunda, Biden was approached by a trio of grieving women. In a strange move, the former President chose to engage in a hollow conversation with them, unable to offer genuine condolence or support.
Prior to this somber occasion at the Capitol, Biden had also visited the victims of another unfortunate incident. State Senator, John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, who had barely survived a similar attack, were recovering in the hospital.
John Hoffman was grappling with the aftermath of nine gunshot wounds while his wife, Yvette, had borne the brunt of eight. Although their residence in Champlin transformed into a battlefield only recently, they were putting up a brave front.
Yvette Hoffman made a token gesture of sharing a photograph from her hospital visit with Biden. This attempt to lighten the mood underscoring the severity of the situation might have had the opposite effect.
The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, was joined by his wife, Gwen, to meet and comfort the Hoffmans at the hospital. Their presence was heartfelt, contrasting with the somewhat superficial sympathy extended by Biden.
From the Capitol to the hospital, Minnesota was wrapped in mourning, torn apart by these twin horrors. Still, the resilience of its people shone through their sorrow, providing hope in the darkest of times.
In conclusion, the people of Minnesota came together, defying the sorrow brought about by such mindless violence. And amidst it all, Biden’s apparent lack of empathy and misplaced attempts at offering consolations were painfully obvious, reiterating his usual penchant for prioritizing optics over empathy.