Politics Aside, Everyone is Human

On June 14th, 2025, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their own home by Vance Boetler, who was impersonating a police officer performing a home safety check. Officials labeled the attack “politically motivated.” Boetler, 57, had a “hit list” of about 70 names, mostly Democratic representatives and pro-choice advocates, and was captured a day later on June 15th.

When President Trump heard the news, he replied that he “wasn’t familiar” with the House Speaker. He dismissed calls to recognize the tragedy or lower the flags, saying that calling and being “nice” was “a waste of time.” Almost three months later, on September 10th, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on the University of Utah campus. In contrast, Trump publicly expressed deep sorrow, called Kirk’s family, and ordered flags across the country to fly at half-mast in his honor.

Both deaths were tragic and should never be something this country has to endure, but the contrast between the two reactions is painful to witness. No matter where someone stands politically, no death should be treated with less importance.

The difference in reactions has been a major topic in both the media and schools. Many argue that victims should not be compared based on political parties. One student put it perfectly: “Both were targeted for what they believed in… If we are serious about stopping political violence, we have to mourn everyone equally.”

The killings of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and Charlie Kirk are harsh reminders that when political leaders use extreme rhetoric, it doesn’t just stay in speeches or social media posts. It can inspire real-world violence, which is never the answer to a topic that can be settled with words, not bullets. If we truly want to prevent more attacks, every victim, Republican or Democrat, lawmaker or citizen, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, identity, or fame, should be mourned the same. Silence in one case and outrage in the other only fuels the idea that some lives have more value than others.

If we want to break this cycle, we must demand that our leaders speak and act responsibly and that they condemn all political violence, not just the tragedies that bring inconveniences to their party. Anything less sends a dangerous message that some lives are worth less, and that is how this already large division turns into a disaster.