Senator Hoffman urges Democrats to prioritize building trust in post-assassination address

In his first major public appearance since surviving an attempted political assassination in June, Sen. John Hoffman called on top Democratic officials to rebuild trust in institutions and among people. Speaking at the Democratic National Committee summer meeting in Minneapolis, Hoffman emphasized the importance of governance over grievance, service over self, and action over anger.

The meeting took place at the same hotel where Hoffman and other Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor officials were attacked in June. The incident resulted in the death of DFL House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Governor Tim Walz noted that the community remains deeply affected by the tragic event.

Hoffman, who sustained nine gunshot wounds during the attack, highlighted the values of courage, truth, and listening to the American people. He urged Democrats to embody these principles and recounted the importance of historical figures like Hubert Humphrey in inspiring change within the party.

Democratic leaders paid tribute to Hortman's legacy and emphasized the need for utilizing power to make a positive impact. Despite recent legislative successes in Minnesota, Democrats face challenges in countering President Donald Trump's agenda and navigating issues such as gerrymandering and fundraising.

Senator Amy Klobuchar voiced support for efforts to address gerrymandering and underscored the party's commitment to upholding democratic principles. Party officials are set to discuss various topics, including the party's stance on Israel, primary election scheduling, and strategies to engage with nonvoters and disenchanted party members.

Hoffman stressed the importance of bridging divides and fostering dialogue to regain public trust and unity within the party. The summer meetings will continue in downtown Minneapolis until Wednesday.