In the wake of a shocking assassination in Minnesota, U.S. senators are calling for increased protection as political violence continues to rise across the country.
On Saturday, Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home. Before that, the same gunman also attacked State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, leaving them seriously wounded. The incident has shaken lawmakers in Washington, leading to urgent security discussions in the U.S. Senate.
On Tuesday, members of Congress received a closed-door briefing from Capitol Police and federal law enforcement regarding threats against elected officials. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made it clear: “We need more protection. We need more money.”
Senators from both parties agreed on the growing danger but were tight-lipped about the details of the briefing, citing security concerns. “It’s important we don’t disclose too much to keep members safe,” said Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota.
This call for security enhancements follows a disturbing trend. The U.S. Capitol Police reported 9,400 threats against members of Congress in 2024 alone—more than double what was reported a decade ago.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal warned that political violence is “spreading like a virus” and must be addressed swiftly. He criticized how threats are often dismissed as jokes, saying they should be taken seriously and investigated in real time.
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin confirmed that various security measures were discussed, although no specific funding proposals were finalized. Currently, the Capitol Police budget has nearly doubled over the past five years—from $464 million in 2020 to $833 million in 2025.
Other violent incidents in recent years include the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was severely beaten with a hammer.
In 2011, then-Representative Gabby Giffords was shot during a public event in Arizona, leaving her permanently injured and six others dead. And in 2017, Republican Steve Scalise was critically wounded in a shooting during a baseball practice.
Even former President Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024, including one that left him injured.
Senator Blumenthal also suggested that local and state law enforcement should be notified whenever federal lawmakers receive threats or travel to areas of concern.
As the nation mourns the tragic loss of Representative Hortman, lawmakers now face a hard truth: the risk to public servants is growing, and stronger measures are needed to protect democracy from political violence.
