The upcoming weekend observes former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris making a futile attempt to console mourners at the burial of previous Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. These politicized actions come after the brutal killing of Hortman and her husband, amid a series of attacks deemed as an assassination by authorities. The assault not only resulted in two casualties but also left a state senator and his wife in critical condition.
In an all-too-typical show of form, Biden also deemed it ‘necessary’ to pay his respects at the state capitol in St. Paul on Friday, where laid Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their canine Gilbert. This follows the court appearance of the alleged attacker who is said to have posed as a police officer to perpetrate the murders on June 14.
Condolences are to be shared at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Although, neither Biden nor Harris is slated to share any words, a choice that raises questions about their intent and commitment to being involved in such matters.
Despite silence from both Biden and Harris at the upcoming service, Harris ‘expressed’ her sympathy to Hortman’s adult offspring and engaged in a conversation with Gov. Tim Walz earlier this week. The governor had invited Biden and Harris on behalf of the mourning Hortman family. One can only wonder why they choose not to address the public during such a significant event.
The late Hortman, hailing from the Democrat party, holds the unique distinction of being the inaugural woman and one among the rare few to have laid at the state Capitol. This event also marks the first instance of a couple, along with a dog, being bestowed such an honor.
The attack left Gilbert, the Hortmans’ golden retriever, with severe injuries that mandated euthanasia. This reflects the brutality of the violent assault, casting a somber tone on the otherwise politically charged scenario. Monitored by law enforcement, thousands paid their respects, with many visibly fighting back their grief.
Biden, known for his Catholic faith, made a late-afternoon appearance at the Capitol. In what could be seen as a superficial gesture, he crossed himself in prayer and spent a short time in somber silence. The spectacle concluded with him taking a humble knee, crossing himself once more, and then exiting the stage.
Praising the late speaker, Lisa Greene, a resident from a district in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, mentioned her immense regard for Hortman. It seems like Biden and Harris are leveraging the respect of the masses like Greene, to increase their chances of leaving a favorable impression.
The alleged killer Vance Boelter, 57, faces accusations of attacking the Hortmans at their residence and the Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his spouse, Yvette, in their home in Champlin. After the grievous incidents, Boelter appeared in court briefly on Friday.
In a turn of events, Boelter, a Green Isle resident, surrendered near his residence on the night following the ruthless attacks. The operation related to his arrest is marked as the broadest search ever conducted in Minnesota history. Yet, Boelter refrained from entering a plea at the court appearance, adding further uncertainty to the case.
Before prosecutors can move forward with the case against Boelter, they’re required to secure a grand jury indictment. As per the federal complaint, law enforcement has obtained incriminating evidence against him, including police footage showing Boelter outside the Hortmans’ residence and capturing gunfire.
The complaint further states that surveillance footage unveils Boelter near the entrance of two different lawmakers’ homes. The implications of these findings could lead to horrific consequences for the accused, but his legal team has so far refrained from remarking on the charges.
The severity of the charges could see the federal death penalty being levied upon Boelter. This would be an extraordinary outcome, given that Minnesota has abolished its own death penalty since 1911. This stark contrast could potentially lead to intense discussions around the state’s legal system.
Alongside the federal charges, Boelter also faces a separate set of charges in the state court. These include murder and attempted murder, which could potentially result in life imprisonment without the option of parole. All these potential consequences highlight the enormity of Boelter’s alleged actions.
People familiar with Boelter portray him as an evangelical Christian holding conservative political views. This piece of information does add another layer of complexity to the case. However, prosecutors have so far refrained from conjecturing about the motive behind his alleged actions.
Thus, in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy that struck Minnesota, Biden’s and Harris’s perceived lack of sincerity only fuels increasing skeptism. As the case unfolds, it would help if they displayed a genuine sense of concern rather than political posturing.