The gruesome murder of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the brutal attack on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, represent an evil that defies comprehension. But equally shocking for many conservatives has been the revelation that the alleged perpetrator, Vance Boelter, was a man who publicly professed a passionate Christian faith and had appeared to align himself with conservative MAGA values. How can a person who once shouted sermons of faith and redemption in a Congolese church descend into such horrifying violence?
Let us be perfectly clear: this atrocity has nothing to do with MAGA values or the millions of law-abiding, patriotic Americans who identify with the America First movement. Vance Boelter’s actions are his alone, a twisted betrayal of every conservative principle we cherish—individual responsibility, respect for law enforcement, and above all, the sanctity of human life. Boelter may have projected the image of a man of faith, but the cold-blooded violence he allegedly carried out demonstrates a profound and sickening deviation from any genuine religious conviction or conservative belief.
The recent video surfacing from 2022 shows Boelter preaching energetically at the LaBorne Matadi church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the clip, he jumps up and down enthusiastically, proclaiming, “He saved my life! WOOO, I’m excited about God! And I wanna worship him!” To many observers, this image is utterly incongruous with the monster who allegedly donned a police-like uniform and mask to carry out premeditated attacks on elected officials and their spouses. But this contradiction should not cast aspersions on the millions of sincere Christians or conservative patriots who believe passionately in their values and act accordingly.
It is natural for conservatives to recoil in horror, not only at the senseless violence but also at the distorted image Boelter has created. Organizations that once hosted him, such as Global Minnesota and Minnesota Africans United, have already distanced themselves from him, emphasizing that he was never employed or officially representing their missions. Global Minnesota succinctly captured the widespread outrage, stating they were “shocked and deeply saddened at the heinous violence” and clarifying decisively that Boelter had no formal ties with their group.
Conservatives must speak firmly in condemning not only the violence itself but also the perverse misrepresentation of our movement and our faith. The MAGA movement stands for restoring American greatness through principled policies: secure borders, robust manufacturing, fair trade, educational choice, and an end to endless foreign wars. It is a movement rooted in patriotism, family values, and respect for human dignity—not violence, extremism, or fanaticism.
Boelter reportedly heads a company, Red Lion Group, based in the DRC, and had apparently positioned himself as an international figure of faith and goodwill. However, his alleged actions on that dark June day have utterly destroyed any claim he may have had to moral authority or credibility. He exploited the public trust by posing in a uniform, appropriating the image of our brave and honorable men and women in law enforcement to commit monstrous crimes. This is a betrayal of the worst kind—an insult to the heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.
As conservatives, we must loudly and unequivocally reject any attempt by critics to exploit this tragedy for political gain. We must push back against the false narrative that seeks to smear an entire movement by associating it with the vile actions of a deranged individual. Boelter’s sickening violence stands in stark contrast to the peaceful commitments and moral integrity that define the vast majority of conservative Americans.
In the days ahead, justice must and will be served. And we conservatives will remain steadfast in defending our beliefs, our movement, and our country from anyone—whether enemy or false friend—who would betray or distort them. The actions of one man, however shocking or grotesque, cannot and will not tarnish the truth of who we are, the values we fight for, and the America we cherish.