Two Minnesota lawmakers were targeted in a horrific act of political violence today. Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Senator John Hoffman and his wife remain in critical condition.

We mourn this devastating loss and reaffirm a simple truth: disagreement is part of democracy—violence is not.

Public service should never be met with fear or intimidation. This attack isn’t just about individuals—it’s about whether we allow violence to determine who gets to lead.

Western States Center and Southern Poverty Law Center have joined 47 other organizations to urge the Senate to reject Joe Kent’s nomination to lead the National Counterterrorism Center. At a time of rising hate crimes and far-right extremism, we need leadership we can trust, not someone with a record that raises serious concerns. The stakes are too high. We’re calling on Senators to vote NO on Kent’s confirmation.

We mourn for the victims and their families and call for accountability for officials who embolden political violence and those who use dehumanizing rhetoric to advance political goals.

At a time when our multiracial and pluralistic democracy is under attack, we must ensure that our leaders will not weaponize our government for political or ideological ends. Joe Kent’s record makes clear that he is unfit to lead the NCTC and, therefore, we strongly oppose his nomination for this crucial role. We urge you to vote NO on his confirmation.