The Morning Sixpack - June 16, 2025

Minnesota shooting suspect caught; Trump expands travel bans & ICE raids; Army parade sparks protests—America’s divisions run deep.

Minnesota Lawmakers Targeted in Deadly Shooting, Capitol Hill on High Alert

A top Democratic lawmaker was killed (along with her husband) and another seriously wounded (along with his wife) in Minnesota by a suspect with a hit list of elected officials, sparking urgent calls for heightened security and a cooling of political tensions.

The brazen attack—carried out by a man posing as a police officer and armed with a list naming several politicians—sent shockwaves through Minnesota and the country. In response, Minnesota’s entire congressional delegation united in condemning the violence and demanding immediate action.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed for increased protection for Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, both targeted by the shooter’s documents, while lawmakers across party lines agreed that political violence must be stamped out. “The level of threat that lawmakers are exposed to is just unacceptable,” Smith said. “We are at a tipping point.”

This shooting came amid nationwide “No Kings” protests tied to former President Trump, with the suspect’s car containing homemade signs echoing that slogan—highlighting how volatile political rhetoric is translating into real-world danger. Lawmakers called for dialing down the temperature in political discourse, warning that personal threats only escalate the risk.

The incident fits into a grim pattern of attacks on public officials over recent years, reminding everyone that politics today is increasingly a dangerous game. The question now: Will Congress act decisively to protect its members and curb this growing culture of violence—or will we keep letting this political firestorm burn out of control?

Source: Wall Street Journal - Minnesota Lawmakers Shooting Response

I’m gonna say it and you knew I would: Lay this at Trump’s feet. When they laugh about an old man getting beat in the head with a hammer, it was just a matter of time before some loon decided to kill Democrats.

After a Relentless Two-Day Manhunt, Minnesota Shooting Suspect is Finally in Custody

The suspect in the deadly Minnesota shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses was tracked down after a massive, multi-agency manhunt spanning nearly 48 hours.

Vance Boelter, 57, was found crawling through dense brush on a rural road outside Minneapolis, where officers used drones, K9 units, and trail camera footage to close in. Despite being armed, Boelter surrendered without a fight, ending what officials called the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. Note that if he were Black, he’d be dead.

The search grew intense after police discovered Boelter’s abandoned car and hat in Sibley County, a rural stretch about an hour from the attack sites. Early Saturday, responding officers were fired upon at one victim’s home, forcing Boelter to flee on foot and triggering the massive lockdown and pursuit.

Minnesota law enforcement’s quick response arguably prevented an even longer ordeal. “If that had not happened,” said Superintendent Drew Evans, “I have every confidence that this would have continued throughout the day.”

The suspect’s capture marks a critical turning point in a case that shook the state and raised urgent questions about the safety of public officials amid rising political violence.

Source: New York Times - Minnesota Shooting Suspect Caught After Manhunt

We are living in a dystopian Running Man simulation.

Trump Administration Eyes Expanding Travel Ban to 36 More Countries

The Trump administration is considering a sweeping expansion of its travel restrictions, potentially banning entry from 36 additional countries over national security concerns.

This move follows a recent proclamation that blocked travelers from 12 countries, aimed at preventing “foreign terrorists” and other threats from entering the U.S. According to an internal State Department cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, these 36 nations risk full or partial suspension if they fail to meet security benchmarks within 60 days.

Among the reasons cited are poor passport security, lack of cooperation in deportations, visa overstays, and involvement of nationals in terrorist or anti-American activities. Not every country on the list has all these issues, but collectively the concerns paint a picture of governments that don’t meet U.S. standards for identity verification or law enforcement cooperation.

This crackdown fits squarely within Trump’s broader immigration agenda this term—marked by aggressive deportations and restrictions on foreign students—and reflects the administration’s no-nonsense approach to national security. “We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans,” a senior official said.

Source: Reuters - Trump Administration Weighs Adding 36 Countries to Travel Ban

This may be a self-correcting episode: ALL OTHER countries may simply ban the US and then it’s game-over.

Trump Orders ICE to Ramp Up Deportations in Democratic Cities Despite Widespread Protests

President Trump is doubling down on mass deportations, targeting Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, even as protests flare nationwide.

In a blunt social media announcement, Trump called on ICE to execute “the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” singling out major urban centers where millions of undocumented immigrants live. This escalation follows a recent surge in enforcement actions, with arrest targets jumping from about 650 to 3,000 daily.

While ICE ramps up in cities, the administration has paused raids at farms, restaurants, and hotels amid industry complaints about worker shortages caused by aggressive deportations. Still, protests under the “No Kings” banner erupted in LA, Portland, and other cities, with law enforcement resorting to tear gas and crowd control munitions to disperse demonstrators.

Trump credited the National Guard presence for keeping LA protests peaceful, warning, “If we didn’t have the National Guard on call and ready, they would rip Los Angeles apart.”

Let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t just about law and order. It’s a political power play aimed at energizing Trump’s base by punishing Democratic strongholds. The question is how much more social unrest and economic pain America is willing to endure.

Source: Associated Press - Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in Democratic-run cities

Military Parade and “No Kings” Protests Show Just How Divided America Really Is

Saturday’s Army parade celebrating 250 years of service rolled through Washington, D.C., but across the country, protests made it clear the nation is far more on the side of democracy than authoritarian military bullshit.

While tanks rumbled past the White House and a few patriotic fans cheered, protesters in dozens of cities rallied under the banner “No Kings,” condemning what they see as an autocratic display by Trump. In Annapolis, a George Washington reenactor reminded crowds that the real Washington voluntarily gave up military power—a sharp contrast to the parade’s critics who view it as a power grab.

Supporters of the parade dismissed the authoritarian comparisons, saying Trump’s actions are within legal bounds and that a strong, boundary-pushing president is what the country needs. Dennis Connelly, a 19-year-old Trump fan, called him “powerful” and likened his style to a high school bully, which he found “wonderful.”

The parade also showcased corporate sponsors like Lockheed Martin and Palantir, highlighting the fusion of military, technology, and politics. Meanwhile, the protesters insist their resistance is the truest form of patriotism, fighting back against what they see as the erosion of America’s democratic norms.

Source: NPR - Military Parade and No Kings Protests

Estimates of 5 to 13 million turned out for the “No Kings” demonstrations. Maybe—MAYBE—100k turned out the Trump’s Penis Parade that destroyed DC streets to the tune of about $19 million. So much for government waste! DOGE must have taken the day off to masturbate.

A Peaceful Protest Turned Deadly: Innocent Bystander Killed at Salt Lake City “No Kings” Rally

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant, was tragically killed after being caught in a chaotic shooting at a large protest in Salt Lake City.

Ah Loo wasn’t the target—police say he was an innocent bystander struck when a so-called “peacekeeping” group fired at a man wielding an AR-15-style rifle who was running toward the crowd. The suspect, Arturo Roberto Gamboa, 24, was also shot and arrested. Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances, but preliminary reports show the peacekeepers confronted Gamboa after spotting him separate from the crowd with a weapon.

Witnesses describe a peaceful, unified demonstration that suddenly erupted into panic and chaos with the gunfire. Protesters ran for cover, with some sheltering alongside young children terrified by the violence. Leah Pittman, who was near Ah Loo when he was shot, described the scene as heartbreaking and called the violence “unacceptable” and “normalized” in America today.

Ah Loo’s life was full of creativity and community—he was well-known for his colorful, inclusive fashion designs inspired by his Samoan heritage. He had settled in Utah to build a family and a business after competing on national TV.

This incident raises urgent questions about the role and training of volunteer “peacekeepers” at protests, the proliferation of weapons in public demonstrations, and the growing threat of violence in what should be safe spaces for free speech. There’s nothing patriotic about losing innocent lives in the crossfire.

Source: KSL - Innocent Bystander Shot Killed at Salt Lake Rally

I don’t mean to be an ass in this circumstance, but perhaps those volunteers saved dozens of life. After all, we’ve seen what a deranged lunatic gun fetishist can do with an AR-15.