Walz condemned inflammatory rhetoric and suggested it was linked to political violence. However, he has a history of making incendiary comments himself.

A manhunt is underway for the gunman who was impersonating a police officer and had a list of possible targets, officials said.

The United States has a long and grim history of political violence, from presidential assassinations to lynchings and violence aimed at Black people in

Recent surveys of average citizens – both liberal and conservative – show a growing acceptance of violence as a legitimate means to a political end.

Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings early Saturday, Gov. Tim Walz said. Authorities have also identified a suspect who is still at large.

Vance Boelter was arrested for allegedly murdering Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, amid a manhunt. Boelter, posing as a police officer, also allegedly wounded another politician and had a target list.

A police manhunt is underway in Minnesota after two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot overnight in a "politically motivated assassination," Gov. Tim Walz told reporters Saturday.

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Washington House and Senate released a joint statement Sunday condemning political violence following the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota legislators.