Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) has announced the cancellation of a town hall event that was scheduled for Monday evening. This decision comes after her name was discovered on an alleged target list belonging to Vance Boelter, the suspect in a recent shooting incident in Minnesota.
The cancellation highlights an alarming trend of increasing disquiet on Capitol Hill regarding the recent violence. Boelter is accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers along with their spouses, resulting in the tragic death of one couple. Following the incident, law enforcement officials found a list containing the names of several Democratic lawmakers and pro-abortion advocates inside Boelter's vehicle. Among those named were Scholten and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), although Dingell's office has confirmed that she will proceed with her town hall as planned.
In a statement about the cancellation, Scholten expressed her regret, saying, "After being made aware that my name was on a list connected to the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned town hall in Muskegon." She emphasized that this decision was made out of an abundance of caution and to avoid diverting law enforcement resources from protecting the public. Scholten reassured her constituents that she remains committed to giving every West Michigander a chance to voice their opinions and will reschedule the event as soon as it is safe to do so.
Vance Boelter now faces serious federal charges, including murder, stalking, and firearms violations, after allegedly shooting and killing Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Additionally, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were injured in the attack. Boelter was apprehended by law enforcement following a complex two-day manhunt. Federal prosecutors have indicated that the list found in Boelter's vehicle included dozens of Democratic officials, notably including Reps. Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar (both D-Minn.), as well as Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
In response to the growing concerns, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is organizing a briefing for House Democrats on Tuesday. This briefing will include representatives from the Capitol Police, the House sergeant-at-arms' office, and the House Administration Committee. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed frustration over the lack of timely information, with one remarking, "They don't tell us anything." Another lawmaker pointed out the disparity in communication, questioning why Republicans were briefed on Saturday while Democrats are not scheduled to receive information until Tuesday.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the safety of lawmakers is becoming a pressing issue, prompting a reevaluation of security protocols on Capitol Hill.
