Minnesota Legislature Considers Special Security Unit for Elected Officials

Proposal comes after politically motivated shooting attacks on lawmakers inside their homes

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than eight months after the politically motivated shooting attacks on lawmakers inside their homes, the Minnesota Legislature is considering creating a special security unit for elected officials. The law enforcement officers would coordinate safety efforts with the chambers' sergeants-at-arms for legislative security issues.

Why it matters

The assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the attempted killing of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette still resonate at the Capitol, which for the first time has weapons screenings at all public entrances. The proposal aims to improve coordination and response to threats against lawmakers.

The details

The bill removes a prior requirement that the Legislature consult the governor before there is any additional protection provided to lawmakers and instructs the Department of Public Safety to assess the threat environment. From 2024 to 2025, the number of threats against lawmakers and other elected officials more than doubled, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Some Republicans on the House transportation committee that discussed the proposal Monday had concerns about the cost — nearly $4 million in the first year and $3.25 million in the years following — and how it would be implemented in practice.

  • The politically motivated shooting attacks on lawmakers occurred on June 14, 2025.
  • The Minnesota Legislature is considering the proposal to create a special security unit for elected officials.

The players

Melissa Hortman

Former Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota Legislature who was assassinated.

John Hoffman

Minnesota State Senator who was the target of an attempted killing.

Vance Boelter

The accused assassin who was on a hit list targeting many DFL lawmakers.

Mohamud Noor

DFL Representative from Minneapolis who said there was a lack of coordination and clear command during the incident.

Bjorn Olson

Republican Representative from Southern Minnesota who suggested the state law enforcement group could be the lead agency assessing threats and coordination, but local law enforcement should provide protection as needed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Members, this is a wake-up call. When that incident happened, there was lack of coordination. There was no clear command in who was in charge of the safety of legislators. We're not going to change what happened that day. I, myself, included on that list, never received any guidance coming from any of the departments until later on. That means we have to fill the gaps.”

— Mohamud Noor, DFL Representative (cbsnews.com)

“There's an emotion to this. I want us to do this measured. I want us to do this the right way. I want to make sure that the person who's in charge of our protection is the right person for our protection.”

— Bjorn Olson, Republican Representative (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The proposal will be considered as part of a larger package of bills at the end of the legislative session.

The takeaway

The Minnesota Legislature is taking steps to improve coordination and response to threats against lawmakers in the wake of the politically motivated shooting attacks on elected officials in their homes. However, concerns remain about the cost and implementation of the proposed special security unit.