Hoffman returns as 2026 Legislature opens, honors slain Rep. Hortman
As the Minnesota Legislature gavels in for 2026 and lawmakers prepare to honor slain Rep. Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman made an emotional return to the Capitol — walking up the steps to a standing ovation and escorted by the same state troopers who guarded him — after months of hospitalization and recovery from the June 14, 2025 attack in which he and his wife were shot multiple times. Hoffman called the incident an "attempted assassination," praised Mercy Hospital staff, first responders and colleagues, credited his daughter Yvette with calling 911 after a gun was pointed at her, and urged politics to "fade" so lawmakers can "rise above the noise" and show that democracy is stronger than fear.
📌 Key Facts
- As the 2026 Legislature opened, Sen. John Hoffman returned to the Minnesota Capitol and delivered his first Senate floor speech since the June 14, 2025 attack in which he and his wife were shot (he nine times, she eight).
- Hoffman told the chamber “It feels really good to be back here,” marking the end of months of hospitalization and recovery.
- He physically returned by walking up the Capitol steps, entering to a standing ovation, and being escorted by the same state troopers who guarded him at the hospital and at home.
- Hoffman publicly thanked Mercy Hospital staff, first responders, law enforcement, and colleagues from both parties for their roles in his and his family’s recovery.
- He recounted that his daughter Yvette had a gun pointed at her head during the attack but managed to call 911 and “save lives.”
- Hoffman framed the incident as an “attempted assassination,” urged that politics should “fade” in favor of humanity, and recommitted himself and the Senate to “rise above the noise” and show that democracy is stronger than fear.
📊 Relevant Data
81% of Somali households in Minnesota receive some form of government welfare, compared to 21% of native households.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
Somali immigrants comprise about 1.8% of Minnesota's population but constitute the majority of individuals charged in major welfare fraud schemes that have cost billions in federal funds.
Somali Welfare Fraud in Minnesota Has Cost American Taxpayers Billions — The Heritage Foundation
Reported incidents of political violence in the United States increased in 2025, including multiple high-profile assassinations.
Key Political Violence and Resilience Trends From 2025 — Bridging Divides Initiative
85% of Americans believe that politically motivated violence is increasing in the United States.
Political violence is up, most Americans say, but they disagree why — Pew Research Center
The Minnesota legislature is considering bills to address ICE tactics, accountability, and fraud prevention amid ongoing debates on immigration enforcement and welfare fraud.
Proposed DFL legislation to take aim at ICE tactics and accountability — Minnesota House of Representatives
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- This article provides detailed on‑the‑record quotes from Sen. John Hoffman’s first speech on the Senate floor since he and his wife were shot nine and eight times, respectively, in the June 14, 2025 attack.
- It describes Hoffman’s physical return — walking up the Capitol steps, entering to a standing ovation, and being escorted by the same state troopers who guarded him at the hospital and home — and confirms he has completed months of hospitalization and recovery.
- It adds specific narrative detail about his daughter Yvette having a gun pointed at her head yet managing to call 911 and 'save lives,' and his public thanks to Mercy Hospital staff, first responders, law enforcement, and colleagues from both parties.
- Hoffman explicitly frames the attack as an 'attempted assassination' and calls for politics to 'fade' in favor of humanity, recommitting himself and the Senate to 'rise above the noise' and prove that democracy is stronger than fear.