• Trump declines to call Minnesota Governor Tim Walz after shootings of state lawmakers.
• The president criticizes Walz, calling him "whacked out" and "a mess."
• Walz confirms the tragedy is about the victims, not political rivalries.
• Vance Boelter charged with murder following the shootings.
• Concerns over rising political violence in the U.S. have intensified.

President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he would not reach out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz after the shooting that resulted in the deaths of two Democratic lawmakers, asserting that such a call would be a "waste of time." In his remarks aboard Air Force One, he referred to Walz as "whacked out" and "a mess," indicating that he saw no purpose in making the call, despite historical expectations for presidential outreach during incidents of public tragedy, according to Reuters and The Hill.

The governor's spokesperson countered Trump's dismissal by emphasizing the need for focus on the victims, highlighting that the tragedy touches the families of Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were killed, as well as John and Yvette Hoffman, who were injured. Walz himself, acknowledging the president's lack of interest, noted that he had been in conversation with Vice President JD Vance and was appreciative of the federal response to the ongoing investigation, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

The suspect, Vance Boelter, was arrested following the shootings and has been charged with multiple counts of murder and stalking. Reports claim he acted with a political motive, and investigators found notebooks containing lists of several political figures in his vehicle. This high-profile case has heightened concerns over political violence in the U.S., with some officials, including Trump's administration, noting that such acts threaten democratic governance, as reported by Newsweek and Al Jazeera.

Amidst these violent events, Trump's refusal to engage with Governor Walz reflects ongoing political tensions, as Walz himself has been a vocal critic of Trump. Walz's supporters were disappointed by Trump's comments and stated that now is the time for unity and healing rather than political sparring, which Walz echoed in his responses to the media, reaffirming that the focus should remain on helping those who are grieving, according to The Hill and Salon.