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President Trump on Tuesday said he would not call Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) after two Democratic lawmakers were gunned down in a “politically motivated” shooting over the weekend.
“I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I’m not calling,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back from the Group of Seven (G7) summit. “Why would I call him?”
“The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call, but why waste time?” the president added.
The remarks come just days after state Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (D-Minn.) and her husband Mark were shot and killed Saturday by a man impersonating a police officer. Another lawmaker, state Sen. John Hoffman (D), and his wife Yvette were also injured in a separate shooting but are expected to survive after surgery.
Trump shared his condolences for the victims hours after the incident.
Walz, the former Democratic vice presidential nominee, previously served in the state legislature alongside Hortman. He confirmed her death in a press conference Saturday.
“My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination,” Walz said at the time.
“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest friend,” he added.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to request for comment in response to Trump’s statement.
The White House said the shooting would be investigated as a federal crime.
“I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers,” Trump said in a statement posted by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.”
The suspected gunman, Vance Boelter, was apprehended late Sunday. He faces stalking and murder charges in state courts. Federal prosecutors also charged him with murder earlier this week.
Authorities found a notebook with a list of more than 45 elected officials in the suspect’s car.
