Governor Walz's Reappointment of Accused Shooter Vance Boelter Sparks Political Criticism

Donald Trump Jr. recently took to social media to criticize Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's appointment decisions, stating, "Tim Walz only hires the best. We dodged (another) a bullet here folks." The tweet, posted on September 9, 2025, appears to allude to recent controversies surrounding individuals appointed by the Governor, particularly the high-profile case involving Vance Boelter.

The criticism follows the June 2025 shooting incident in Minnesota, where Vance Boelter was accused of fatally shooting Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The tragic event drew national attention and subsequently brought scrutiny to Boelter's past association with the state government.

Boelter had served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, an unpaid, non-partisan advisory body. While he was initially appointed to the board in 2016 by former Governor Mark Dayton, Governor Walz reappointed him in 2019 for a term that concluded in January 2023. Walz's office has clarified that the Governor does not personally interview candidates for these numerous advisory board positions.

Following the shootings, right-wing figures, including Donald Trump Jr., propagated claims attempting to directly link Governor Walz to Boelter's actions or suggest a personal relationship. However, fact-checking outlets and law enforcement investigations have debunked these assertions, confirming that Walz did not know Boelter personally. Reports indicate Boelter was a registered Republican and a supporter of Donald Trump.

The controversy highlights the nature of gubernatorial appointments to various state boards and commissions, which often involve hundreds of individuals serving in unpaid, advisory capacities. These boards typically do not hold legislative power but offer recommendations on specific policy areas. The incident underscores how such administrative reappointments can become politicized in the wake of unforeseen events.