DHS KNEW? Memo WARNED of This Attack!
A newly leaked Department of Homeland Security memo warned months ago of political assassinations similar to the Minnesota shootings, raising urgent questions about state readiness and federal coordination.
At a Glance
A leaked DHS memo, dated months before the attacks, warned of impersonation-based violence targeting lawmakers
The memo forecasted threats consistent with the recent shootings in Minnesota involving officials John Hoffman and Melissa Hortman
Federal officials were tracking a rising threat level tied to anti-government extremism
The document was first reported by ABC News and confirmed by independent security sources
The shootings have renewed debate over interagency intelligence sharing and preventative law enforcement
DHS Memo Warned of Political Targeting
According to Mediaite, a confidential Department of Homeland Security memo issued earlier this year specifically warned about the possibility of “lone actors impersonating law enforcement” to target public officials. The alert reportedly highlighted scenarios nearly identical to the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman.
The June 14 shootings, which left both Democrats and their spouses wounded, now appear to align disturbingly with that forecast. The assailant posed as a police officer before opening fire, according to law enforcement reports.
Watch a report: Leaked DHS Memo Predicted Minnesota-Style Political Attacks.
Federal Intel, Local Inaction?
The DHS memo, which has not been formally released, was reportedly circulated internally and sent to multiple federal and state agencies. However, it remains unclear if Minnesota’s Joint Terrorism Task Force or the state’s fusion centers acted on the alert—or whether it was deprioritized amid broader protest preparations.
Experts in domestic extremism say the memo’s contents demonstrate that the federal government was aware of rising threats to political figures from anti-government actors. The shootings now amplify concerns that frontline law enforcement lacked the directives or resources to act on that information.
Implications for Security Policy
The leak comes as DHS faces mounting scrutiny for how threat intelligence is communicated and enforced. State lawmakers are now calling for greater transparency around alerts and a formal review of whether the Minnesota attacks were preventable.
With trust in institutions under strain, the question remains: when the warning signs are clear, what’s stopping the response?
This story is developing. I can follow up with analysis on DHS intelligence procedures or comparisons to previous failures like the Capitol riot warnings.