By John Dobberstein, Editor
and Angelita Ford, Contributing Writer
For the second time in less than a year, the U.S. was gripped by political tensions and security threats, as two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot and protests against the Trump administration occurred throughout the nation.
The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th birthday with a powerful parade through Washington as President Trump looked on.
The nation was just beginning to recover this spring from the attempted assassination of Trump last July, a sanctimonious general election and tensions over immigration enforcement happening across the country.
The FBI and other law enforcement are investigating after two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by someone impersonating a police officer, according to FOX 9. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot in the overnight shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Hoffman and his spouse are expected to survive. Authorities said the attack was politically motivated.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Vance Boelter, the suspect in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Authorities said they had located Boelter’s vehicle Sunday but were still searching for the suspect.
Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen issued a statement, saying the shootings in Minnesota is a tragedy that affects our entire nation,” and offered the department’s prayers and thoughts for the families and friends of the lawmakers and their families who are now grieving.
“We also extend our support to the law enforcement officers who are actively investigating and pursuing those responsible for these heinous acts,” Larson said.
“On this day, when multiple demonstrations are planned across the nation and here in Tulsa, this department fully supports our citizens’ First Amendment right to express their views through peaceful demonstration. Violence has no place in our democracy.”
President Donald Trump’s delivered remarks Saturday evening at a historic military parade honoring the Army’s anniversary.
“Every other country celebrates their victories,” he said. “It’s about time America did too — that’s what we’re doing tonight.”
“As we celebrate tonight, we also think of the hundreds of thousands of Army soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation and selflessly laid down their lives in every war, from the revolution to the war on terror, to the Gold Star families with us today.”
In Broken Arrow, a small crowd of No Kings protestors gathered in Rose District Plaza Saturday and clutched signs while Farmers Market patrons milled about and stood under the pavilion to avoid the rain.
“I think it’s important to show how you feel. And if we don’t stand up, nobody won’t do anything,” said protestor Teri Bohannan, who lives near Coweta. “Our Constitution guarantees us the right to stand and protest something we don’t like that our government is doing. That’s very simple.”
A Flag Day Celebration scheduled for the same time at the Oklahoma Military History Museum in Broken Arrow was cancelled due to weather. U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-District 1), the featured speaker, left and flew back to Washington.
In downtown Tulsa, 41st Street and Yale Avenue and 71st Street and Memorial Drive there were large crowds peacefully protesting, although no significant problems were reported. Traffic in the Woodland Hills Mall area was snarled for hours, however, due to the protest and two malfunctioning traffic lights.
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