Minnesota politicians facing threats could get State Patrol protection

Ryan Faircloth, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Apr 27, 2026

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Minnesota lawmakers may create a new unit within the State Patrol to protect constitutional officers, Supreme Court justices and legislators after last summer’s deadly attack on two lawmakers.

The change is among many safety measures legislators are considering following the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and attempted slaying of state Sen. John Hoffman. Legislators also are looking to make their home addresses, phone numbers and children’s names private data and require law enforcement agencies to develop safety protocols for elected officials.

Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, was shot nine times in the attack in his home last summer. He is carrying the bill to create a new protective services unit within the State Patrol’s Capitol Security division. The unit would be tasked with providing security to any constitutional officer, Supreme Court justice or legislator who is the target of a credible threat.

“Political violence is unacceptable and it must be rejected, but we must also adjust to this new reality,” Hoffman said during a Senate committee hearing on April 21.

Hoffman said he has continued to receive threatening voicemails and emails since the attack.

Eight state troopers would be assigned to the new protective services unit under the bill. As many as 30 more troopers would receive personal security training and be strategically placed throughout the state to respond to threats as needed.

The unit also would provide security at the offices of the Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Auditor, conduct threat assessments and coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and the Legislature’s sergeant-at-arms.

The protective services unit would cost about $13 million in fiscal year 2027 and between $11 million and $12 million per year after that.

Sen. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, questioned whether the unit would pull troopers away from greater Minnesota at a time when the State Patrol is already facing a staffing shortage.

“I’m not opposed to the bill,” Howe said, “I’m just drawing it out to the big picture of what we’re facing to get this done.”

Col. Christina Bogojevic, chief of the State Patrol, told lawmakers the new unit would not come at greater Minnesota’s expense.

“The current troopers in the state of Minnesota would be offered to fill these positions first. However, we would not do that until we could ensure that backfills in greater Minnesota are made,” Bogojevic said.

Hoffman’s bill is supported by leadership in the DFL-controlled Senate and is expected to be rolled into a broader Capitol safety and security package. In the tied Minnesota House, a companion bill to Hoffman’s has bipartisan backing.

“I think we all recognize that this is not something that we wanted to do, but we don’t have a choice,” said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. “I think it’s critically important.”

Hoffman is also sponsoring a bill to impose tougher criminal penalties on people who impersonate police officers. The assailant who attacked Hoffman and his family and killed Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, disguised himself as a police officer.

That measure passed the Minnesota House on Thursday, April 23.

“What you should have is the confidence that if you are getting a knock on the door for whatever reason at two o’clock in the morning, that you know who they are and that you can trust them,” said Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River.