The Letter, the Lie, and the Fatal Night
No — investigators have found zero evidence that Gov. Tim Walz ordered anyone killed. The only source for that explosive claim is a handwritten letter federal prosecutors dismiss as “delusional.” But that letter, a double murder, and a two-day manhunt have still rocked Minnesota politics — and the details get stranger at every turn.
The Note That Lit a Fire
Federal agents say they pulled a crumpled, four-page letter from a sedan abandoned by 34-year-old Vance Boelter. Scrawled on top: “FOR FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL.”
Inside, Boelter admits “I am the shooter,” boasts of secret military missions, and names Walz as the man who supposedly ordered the killings of Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.
Key verified facts about the letter
- ❗ It exists. The full text is now public (Star Tribune transcription).
- ✍️ Boelter really claims Walz approached him.
- 🌀 Prosecutors say the narrative “reads like fantasy” and “appears meant to excuse his crimes.”
- 🌎 He lists covert work in “Eastern Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa” — not Asia, despite an earlier news report.
Read the transcript yourself: Star Tribune PDF
A Quick Cast of Characters
- Vance Boelter – Accused shooter, now facing six federal counts, including two for murder.
- Rep. Melissa Hortman & husband Mark – Killed in their Maplewood home, 14 June 2025.
- Gov. Tim Walz – Democrat, 42nd Governor of Minnesota, VP nominee on the 2024 Harris ticket.
- Kash Patel – Sworn in as FBI director 20 Feb 2025 — yes, the same Kash Patel once known for House Intelligence Committee work.
- Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson – The voice of the prosecution, calling it “targeted political assassination the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota.” (Justice.gov)
Reconstructing a Deadly Night
- June 14, 2025, 9:12 p.m. — A doorbell cam shows a man in a police jacket outside the Hortmans’ suburban home.
- 9:15 p.m. — Gunshots. Neighbors call 911.
- ~10 p.m. — Same disguise appears outside two other lawmakers’ empty residences, prosecutors say.
- June 15, dawn — Boelter’s car discovered near his rural home; the letter is inside.
- June 16, 3:40 p.m. — After a 40-hour manhunt, officers tackle Boelter in a Green Isle cornfield.
Authorities call the search “the largest in state history.” (Star Tribune)
Fact vs. Fiction: Sorting the Claims
| Boelter’s Claim | What Evidence Shows | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Walz ordered two assassinations | No corroboration; Walz not even in Minnesota that week | Unfounded |
| “Off-the-books” U.S. military training | Pentagon finds no service record | No evidence |
| Missions in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa | Self-reported only | Unverified |
| Asked to be jailed “in Asia or the Middle East” | Appears in letter | True (but irrelevant) |
How the Rumor Took Off
The original tabloid-style headlines blurred two truths:
- The letter is real and outrageously accuses Walz.
- No investigator believes the accusation.
When casual readers see only the first half, conspiracy theories bloom. Disinformation experts call this the “true-lie flip”: starting with a genuine document, then elevating its wildest unproven claim to headline status.
What We Still Don’t Know
- Mental state: Court filings hint at competency questions, but no evaluation is public.
- Motive beyond fantasy: If Walz didn’t inspire him, what did? Radical forums? Personal grievance?
- Accomplices: So far investigators say Boelter acted alone, yet he had police gear and detailed addresses. Where did that intel come from?
The Wider Lens: Violence Against Officials
Boelter’s case is the fourth fatal attack on U.S. state legislators since 2020. The Department of Homeland Security warned in March that “grievance-based extremism targeting elected leaders” is rising.
Minnesota had been spared — until now.
Why Transparency Matters
As reporters, we:
- Pulled every court document and cross-checked dates.
- Read the full letter line by line.
- Interviewed a Justice Department source who confirmed no link between Walz and Boelter.
We share the documents above so you can test our work.
Bottom Line
A shocking double murder is real.
A bizarre letter blaming the governor is real.
But evidence that Gov. Tim Walz plotted any killings? Non-existent.
Sometimes the loudest claim in the room is just that — a claim. The real story lies in tracking each fact to its source and being honest about what we still don’t know.