Green Isle, Minnesota – June 15: The nearby law enforcement phase of Green Isle, Minnesota, searching for suspects in the murder of Minnesota Sen. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. (Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Like many Americans, I woke up to the horrifying news from Minnesota on the morning of June 14th. The man dressed up police officers killed state Senator Melissa Hortman and his husband, and shot and killed state Senator John Hoffman and his wife multiple times.

Two-day Manhunt, murder suspect Vance Bolter has been arrested. Based on his own notes and statements from friends, Beltter was a political conservative who had a Minnesota Democrat “hit list” at the state and federal level, and had gone to the house of two other officials the same night that he shot Hortman and Hoffman.

Officials from other states began to respond almost immediately.

South Dakota House Speaker and leaders of both majority and minority parties have signed a joint statement expressing their grief over the shooting. New Mexico lawmakers began considering security plans in law enforcement, with Gov. Michel Lejean Grisham publicly condemning Minnesota’s violence.

In North Dakota, legislative staff wiped out the address of lawmakers’ homes from the state website on Saturday. Pennsylvania legislative leaders – both Republicans and Democrats – have expressed their sadness to Minnesotans and House Speaker Joanna McClinton I held a moment of silence Midhouse session.

In Tennessee? If you were dependent on our state officials, well, anything, especially dignified, you were unlucky.

On Saturday, the House Democrat Caucus issued a statement on behalf of Nashville Speaker John Ray Clemons.

“We express our love and sincere pathetic dolphins to our fellow state legislators in Minnesota who were heavily attacked, as well as our family and colleagues. We will join in their grief after today’s tragic events.”

“While lacking all the facts of these attacks, this case should be a reminder of our duties as civil servants, or abuse the authority awarded to us, or use their respective platforms to spread mistakes/disinformation and ignite divisive and dangerous political rhetoric.

But either from the House or Senate Republican Caucus or Senate Democrat Caucus. Chair of House Cameron Sexton? Just the sound of silence. And Governor Bill Lee? cricket.

Senator, your awakening agenda comes from some proper mental health issues.

The archer is you, your mentality, desires, political affiliation, and passion. https://t.co/fxxvr1jtik

– Jeremy Faison (@Repfaison) June 14, 2025

Apparently, state lawmakers liked to do most of what they talk about on social media.

Nashville Democrat Sen. Heidi Campbell posted an ABC News clip on X the morning of the Minnesota shooting.

Jeremy Feson, House Republican Caucus Speaker of Cosby’s Republican, responded by accusing Campbell of being mentally ill.

“Senator, your awakening agenda comes from some proper mental health issues,” writes Faison. “The archer is you, your mentality, your desires, your political affiliation, your passion.”

“It’s a shame Senator, it’s a shame to choose to politicize such a horrific tragedy without facts. In fact, the suspect is the appointee of @govtimwalz.

“Prayers for the victims and families. There is no place for this in our country.”

House majority leader William Lambers refused to jump into the fight and stuck with retweeting members’ posts.

Several democratic senators – posted on X by Jeff Yarbro of Nashville, “”Everything that is happening in this country must stop. And we have to do everything with our strength to stop it,” Nashville’s Charlan Oliver posted on the thread. – Showing sadness, criticizing the current political tenors of the United States

Politicians have always used phrases like “put target” on someone, the phrase “kicking,” or chose the fight for public speeches.

But there is no doubt that violence that incites political rhetoric has been at least the last 60 years or so, if not the highest ever. President Donald Trump is a major instigator, and Larry’s Heckler said,It’s gone wild,’ Call the Democrats The “enemies” say they are more dangerous than foreign enemies and defending the violent rebels who rioted at the US Capitol in January 2021.

There are many Americans shrugging at these comments. And whether they make literal or figurative sense is next to the point. Because it is clear that people like Boerter incite violence in their minds.

The man indicted for Mayor Paul Young, Memphis mayor, has been arrested.

Just Wednesday, a man was arrested in Memphis. He was charged with stalking Criminal trespass after jumping over a wall in Memphis Mayor Paul Young’s subdivision. The man had a taser, rope and duct tape when he was arrested and told police he was “angry” at Young.

We never know if political rhetoric played a role. In May, FBI director Kash Patel called Memphis the “world’s murder capital,” and used by state lawmakers. Conditions of appeal Explaining Memphis and its institutions.

I’m grateful that Young and his family are safe and that Memphis hasn’t made another unspeakable tragedy headline like Minnesota.

So far, I have not seen any sleazy comments about social media about the Memphis incident, but I have never seen any warnings or expressions of public declarations from state lawmakers.

It’s not enough to just not be awful. In the wake of the shootings and murders in Minnesota, Tennessee screams for leaders who speak and act boldly to throw water into the flames of hateful speech. There is not enough mere talk about “ordinaryness.” It is mandatory for both Republican and Democrat leaders to address what is clearly a serious issue.

Or, one day, Tennessee could mourn like Minnesotans of the week. By then, the action will be too late.