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Search For Shooter Underway After MN State Lawmaker Killed, Another Shot In "Politically Motivated" Attack; Millions Expected To Gather For "No Kings" Protests Across U.S.; Festival Underway On National Mall In D.C. To Celebrate Army's 250th Birthday; New Round Of Israeli Strikes Target Several Iranian Provinces. Aired 1-2p ET

Aired June 14, 2025 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[13:00:26]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me this Saturday. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

And we're following breaking news out of Minnesota where police say a gunman shot and killed Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark early this morning at their home. Police say the same gunman also shot Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife multiple times at their home. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is calling the attacks a politically motivated assassination.

Here's more of what he said earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

GOV. TIM WALZ (D), MINNESOTA GOVERNOR: I assure you that those held -- those responsible for this will be held accountable and each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

WHITFIELD: We have team coverage. Let's start with CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller. What have you learned about this hit list that police say was found in the suspect's car? He's now on foot, he left the vehicle and possibly a lot of other valuable tools.

JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: Well, the car is a treasure trove of clues and potential clues, not just forensically but things in plain sight. What we're told from law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation is that there are a cache of additional weapons inside that car, indicating that the suspect was loaded for additional targets, possible confrontations with law enforcement or security, a large amount of ammunition.

In an ammunition bag, they found a Father's Day card, presumably addressed to the suspect. But there is also this manifesto which lays out his issues and on top of that, a very, very long list of names, approximately 70 names. This includes numerous state legislators from Minnesota, but it also includes other elected officials, a couple of mayors, it includes other places in Minnesota including medical clinics, abortion providers, pro-life advocates and it includes some locations and individuals from out of state.

What does that tell us? It poses the question of what was the ultimate game plan? Was it to continue to get through this list, to go as far down with as many attacks or assassinations as possible until he was stopped by police? What we know now is that at his first location, he did his first attack in the pre-dawn hours of the morning in the darkness, that pre-emptively police went to the second location where the nearest other elected state official was and ran straight into the suspect.

The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota police exchanged shots with the individual which caused him to flee towards the house and then into the darkness, but that also made him leave that car, all of that evidence and potentially part of his plan behind.

Now, with the idea that they exchanged gunfire, the fact that he was described as wearing a tactical vest, probably body armor, likely bullet resistant, he may be wounded or the vest may have deflected that, but he is with whatever weapons he had on him without a vehicle and still theoretically on the move somewhere in that area that he could have gotten by foot or perhaps called an associate or a friend to pick him up. So that hunt is still extraordinarily intense.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it really is indeed very intense.

All right, John, thanks so much.

Veronica Miracle is also covering this. Veronica, bring us up to speed on the latest that you're learning.

VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, some of that information from John is so insightful. It paints a picture of what was inside the suspect's car. What else was inside that car was revealed by Minnesota State Patrol. They posted a photo of a ton of "No Kings" flyers that you see here that was found inside of the car.

And because of that, lawmakers like Governor Walz, as well as law enforcement officials, they have asked people all across Minnesota to not attend "No Kings" events today. And, in fact, a "No Kings" event in northeast Minneapolis was just outright canceled. So they're, out of an abundance of caution, asking people to not attend those mass events.

They don't know how the shooter was connected to the "No Kings" events, if in fact at all, but because of that evidence found in the car. And because the suspect has not yet been found, they are asking people to just be very cautious.

[13:05:01]

We know that the two shootings happened within about a 5-mile radius of each other, and the community of Brooklyn Park remains under a shelter-in-place situation where law enforcement officials are asking people not to leave their homes. The community, of course, on edge.

And just to recap how this all unfolded, it happened around 2:00 in the morning at the first location. Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were found shot inside their home. They were taken to the hospital, and they are expected to recover from their injuries. Of course, we don't know exactly the extent right now of their injuries, but they are in surgery.

Then, as this was all unfolding, as the investigation was folding around 2:00 a.m. at that home, law enforcement officials, as John mentioned, they sent other police officers to nearby residents of State Representative Melissa Hortman's home, and that's when they ran into the suspect. The suspect opened fire, and they engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who eventually went back into the house and was able to escape.

And when law enforcement officials went inside the home of State Senator Hoffman -- or Hortman, rather, they found that Melissa Hortman and her husband were dead. And so, the suspect is still at large. The hunt continues for that individual. But as more evidence comes out of that car, as law enforcement reveals more, we'll bring you more information as soon as we get it.

Back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Veronica Miracle, thank you so much.

Let's also bring into this conversation CNN Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. Welcome back, Juliette. So, you've got the manifesto of now 70 names we're learning from John Miller and his sources, flyers of "No King", as Veronica was just showing us, all left behind.

You said earlier that getting to the motive was key, but now we're talking about the motive not just of the premeditation, but perhaps might any of these clues help investigators know what his next step, where he might go now that he's left behind his vehicle, you know, presumably some, not only clues, but some of his, you know, tools, might that help redirect investigators in their search for him.

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I think, I mean, what we know now is what they have in the car, plus he killed two Democrats. So you're going to have a combination of evidence, and it may be mixed, as John was saying, but you have a dead Democratic legislator and her husband, and then another male and his wife shot. So that's your first pool of motive.

And so, it's -- this is politically motivated to the extent, at least as the evidence goes right now, that is supplemented and verified by whoever is on that list. That may be a combination of mixed motives. People may be the person has interacted with personally, but seems at least as described by John sort of heavy on liberal or progressive, and that's all causes, and that's also confirmed by either flyers for the "No Kings" or locations.

I mean, that's my worry is that were these actually flyers saying go to your "No Kings" event, or was it the "No Kings" event at this, you know, at this intersection? So, appropriate to close some of those down.

I want to say just on that issue, all of that is not -- his plans are over now. He anticipated he would get back in the car. He leaves a list there. He leaves a manifesto there. He leaves more ammunition.

He is thankfully and thankful for the smart thinking of the police department to go to other potential targets and disrupt him. He is no longer in possession of that. So that means he's just on the run.

And whether his plan is to hide or to go out publicly in something, you know, something like a manifesto, we don't know, and that's the fear for the community. But whatever his plans were, you know, he had 2:00, 3:30, he had a killing at 2:00 -- or attack at 2:00, attack at 3:30, and the list.

It is safe to say that that plan is not going to be as easy for him. Plus, of course, all of those people now have details. Anyone on that list now has been notified and has details.

WHITFIELD: All right --

KAYYEM: ((Technical difficulty).

WHITFIELD: Sure. OK. All very troublesome nonetheless.

All right, Juliette Kayyem, John Miller, Veronica Miracle, thanks to all of you. Appreciate it. We'll touch base with you again as we continue to follow this breaking news, the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, along with the shootings of another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife. All of this taking place separately at their homes.

Much more after this.

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[13:14:41]

WHITFIELD: All right, we continue to follow our breaking news. A manhunt is underway in Minnesota at this hour for a gunman who police say shot two state lawmakers and their spouses earlier this morning. Officials are calling the attacks politically motivated.

One of the lawmakers, State Representative Melissa Hortman, was killed along with her husband, Mark Hortman, was the top house Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former Minnesota House speaker.

[13:15:07]

State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot. They are in the hospital after undergoing surgery. Officials say they are optimistic that they will survive.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP) DREW EVANS, MINNEOSTA BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION: When we have individuals like this and our political leadership, they're not only political leaders, but they're members of the community, well-known members of the community, that the tragedy in a situation like this is not only for them, their friends and families, but us collectively, the communities they represent us as a state of Minnesota as a whole.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

WHITFIELD: Police say the suspect targeted the victims at their homes, impersonating a police officer. A law enforcement official briefed on the matter, tell CNN police found a hit list in the suspect's car that contained nearly 70 names, including abortion providers, lawmakers in Minnesota and in other states.

We're also following another major story, the huge U.S. military parade that will get underway in the nation's Capitol in just a few hours. This evening, President Trump's military parade will roll through the streets of Washington, D.C. It's happening on the Army's 250th anniversary, which also happens to fall on Trump's 79th birthday. The Army has been gearing up for the event for several days.

It's unfolding on the same day as protest organizers say some 2,000 nationwide demonstrators in all 50 states are happening in opposition of President Trump and his policies. And the gatherings, they're called "No Kings" rallies.

We have a team of correspondents covering all of these events and covering all of these developments. Let's begin with these so-called "No Kings" protests, which are already underway in some cities. CNN's Michael Yoshida is in Los Angeles, but let's begin with Gloria Pazmino in New York. Gloria, what's happening?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fred, you know, I've been speaking with the organizers of the march here this morning and what they have focused on is that this march is very much meant to stand in contrast with the military parade that is happening in Washington, D.C.

I spoke to an organizer here today who told me that the gathering of people here in New York City and across so many other cities across the country is meant to counter the display of military power that President Trump is intending to put on in the nation's capital.

So I just want to show you that despite the weather and despite the insistent rain here today, we have seen throngs of people arrive here in front of the New York City Public Library on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, gathering to prepare to participate in this march. You can see that people are carrying their umbrellas, their signs, they have their rain jackets on, and the weather is not keeping them away from attending this event.

Now we are expecting that likely thousands of people will turn out. Now we've also seen the NYPD staging here in the area in the last few hours. We've heard from the New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, as well as police leadership saying that they are prepared to not just handle this event, but to also respond to any potential disruptions.

Another key point that the organizers have made here today, Fred, is that they are asking people to keep things non-violent. This is supposed to be a peaceful protest. And while they acknowledge that there may be some people who are going to be looking to agitate, their focus is on peaceful protests, calling attention to the Trump administration.

They told me here today that they're here because of everything that's been going on. They see that free speech is under threat, access to the free press is under threat. They look at the actions of the Trump administration so far, and they feel like it's time to come out and take a stand. That is what they're hoping people will be doing out here today.

We are expecting that marchers will walk several blocks south to Madison Square Park in just a few hours. And for now, it looks like there may be quite a significant turnout. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right. Gloria Pazmino, we'll check back with you. Thank you so much.

All right, now to Los Angeles. Michael Yoshida, what's happening?

MICHAEL YOSHIDA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred, good afternoon. The sun out here in L.A., and you can see the crowd has showed up as well. We're right by City Hall, Grand Park. You can see a sea of people right now. You can see flags, signs of all kinds just filling this area.

Earlier this week, we were getting reports of potentially tens of thousands, 25,000-plus showing up to take part in this. We've had a chance to be walking through these crowds. As we look further off into this, you might be able to see a giant Trump balloon taking part in this "No Kings" parade here in downtown L.A.

[13:20:02]

We've had a chance to speak with those who have showed up today, talking about why they're here. We have Dreamers. We have immigrants. We have children of immigrants who wanted to be here to speak up for those, they say, that don't have a voice right now.

You can see even on the steps of City Hall, we have people lined up. Just on the other side of them, we do have some of the sheriff's office. This is a scene we've seen throughout the entire week. Law enforcement standing outside of some of the city, the federal buildings here in downtown L.A.

And we heard Gloria talking about how in New York, they want everything to be peaceful here. The same message we heard from Mayor Karen Bass yesterday, talking about they want people to show up here. They want them to use their voice.

They want them to let their opinions be known about what's been happening here in Los Angeles, but they want them to do so peacefully. You can report -- we've been here for over an hour now. Obviously, a lot of people here have seen no instances of any skirmishes.

So, obviously, people listening, taking part in the mission, and you can hear the chants happening as well. This rally going to head into a march, and then we'll have more speakers on the back end who will be here throughout the day. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right, and there in Los Angeles, this capping what has been a very tumultuous week with a number of protests against the administration's immigration crackdown.

All right, Michael Yoshida, Gloria Pazmino, thanks to both of you. Appreciate it.

All right, events celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday are underway right now in the nation's capital. Just hours from now, a major military parade will be held, something President Trump has long wanted, and it's happening on his 79th birthday. It will be the largest display of U.S. military might since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991.

We've got a team of correspondents covering this. Julia Benbrook is on the National Mall there. Also, Brian Todd, who is with protesters. So, Brian, you first describe what's happening.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, it's a very highly charged day here in Washington and, of course, across the country. Now, that "No Kings" movement that you just mentioned on the air and our other reporters mentioned, they have purposely tried to stay away from Washington, D.C., to not draw attention to President Trump's event today.

But this group, this is run by RefuseFascism.org. They have gathered here in Logan Circle Park, a couple of miles away from the mall. You see speeches going on. You see displays, signs like that. There's a band here that's been playing just over to our right here.

And what we can tell you is they've got a pretty ambitious plan right now. They're going to start here at Logan Circle Park, do a rally, and then they're going to march about a mile away from here to Lafayette Square Park right outside the White House.

I'm here with one of the chief organizers of RefuseFascism.org, Sunsara Taylor. Sunsara, thanks for joining us. Tell me what your central message is with this rally and the march in relation to what President Trump is doing on the mall a couple of miles away.

SUNSARA TAYLOR, REFUSEFASCISM.ORG: We are here to say to the people of the world that in the name of humanity, we refuse to accept a fascist America. The Trump fascist regime must go now. He has deployed the military against the people on the streets of this country. He has got his military parade that is not just symbolic during Trump One. He ordered the military to -- he wanted them to shoot protesters in the legs.

Some of the generals said no. He has purged the military leadership. And he is forging and putting on display today a military loyal not to the Constitution, not to the rule of law, but to Trump personally. With all the white supremacy, the hatred of women and LGBT people, the genocidal, xenophobic America first this involves.

And in the name of humanity, the people of this country have to rise up. 2026, 2028 is too late. This regime must go now.

TOOD: Let me ask you though, what messaging have you put forth to these protesters here about de-escalating violence, avoiding violence in light of what happened in L.A. and other cities?

TAYLOR: RefuseFascism.org has always called for mass non-violent protest and resistance in our millions. What we saw in the streets of Los Angeles was overwhelmingly young people, families crying out for justice for their fathers who are being disappeared, their children who are being snatched. And the majority of the violence that was in the streets of L.A. was on the hands of Donald Trump and his fascist minions.

And he literally said that the governor of California should be arrested, not for breaking the law, but for running for governor. This is a fascist regime and determined to intimidate people with their violence and force. We will not be provoked. We're non-violent. We have a permit. But we're not going to be intimidated. We're going to speak up. We're going to demand this regime has to go now.

TODD: Sunsara, thank you for talking to us. We appreciate it very much.

On the context of avoiding violence, guys, I do want to tell you that there is a police presence here around this rally. I'll show it to you right now. Frankly, a slightly heavier police presence than we kind of expected. They have several police cars right here that you can see. There are police on bicycles here to the right. And there are also motorcycle police officers.

[13:25:04]

One of the organizers told me a short time ago that their message to the police was that they expect the police to disrupt anybody, to apprehend and come between anybody who tries to violently disrupt this event. The police have told them that they expect them to, you know, preach a message of nonviolence and to do everything they can to avoid violence. Both sides agree that they would help each other out in this respect.

So that's the way it's -- that's the scene from here. Peaceful so far. We're going to do a march to the White House shortly. And that is the scene from here. I'm going to talk to my colleague, Julia Benbrook. Julia?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brian, I wanted to start by saying I know there's a lot of focus on this parade tonight. And that planning really only came to fruition over these last few months when President Donald Trump started his second term. But the Army has been planning this event, this celebration and festival to honor 250 years of the Army for several years. And that's where I am now, is at this festival on the National Mall. A much different tone than what you're experiencing there. You can see a little bit behind me, but this is a family friendly event. They've got Army equipment. They have vendors. They've had live music.

They had a fitness competition earlier to highlight the teamwork that it takes to serve in the Army. And then later today, we're going to see the recognition of some of the Medal of Honor recipients and then a ceremony complete with a birthday cake for the 250th anniversary of the Army. Following that, then the attention shifts to this military parade.

And of course, this is something that Trump has been looking to have for quite some time now. He floated the idea during his first term. The idea was ultimately scrapped due to concerns about the overall price tag, as well as some of the damage that will be done to some of the D.C. streets, having that heavy duty military equipment go through.

But he will see this happen tonight. And we're going to see a celebration of the Army through the different eras. We're going to see vintage uniforms and equipment from the Revolutionary War all the way to modern day.

We're hearing that there will be 7,200 soldiers, 50 helicopters, 34 horses, just to name a few. And there will be this moment where some of the members of the Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team, they're going to land near the president's viewing area and present him with an American flag. That kind of ties everything together here today because not only is it the Army's birthday, but it is Flag Day. It is also Trump's 79th birthday.

WHITFIELD: Brian Todd and Julia Benbrook, thank you so much.

A longtime Minnesota Democratic lawmaker and her husband are dead. And another lawmaker from Minnesota and his wife recovering after being shot in a politically motivated attack overnight. Police say the shooter was impersonating a police officer and even had a hit list of other lawmakers to target.

We'll talk to a retired FBI agent about the investigation next.

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[13:32:25]

WHITFIELD: All right. We're following major breaking news.

A manhunt is underway for the suspect who shot and killed Minnesota lawmaker and former State House Speaker Melissa Hortman, as well as her husband, Mark, early this morning at their home.

The same individual who shot Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. And those two are -- have undergone surgery and are recovering in a hospital. Governor Tim Walz is calling the deadly shooting a politically motivated assassination. And now we have new reporting on a hit list found in the suspect's car, including a hit list with nearly 70 targets.

Joining me right now for perspective on this is retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack. Jason, great to see you. So what do you make of this hit list left behind in the suspect's vehicle? It's believed the suspect is still on the run, but on foot.

JASON PACK, RETIRED FBI SUPERVISORY SPECIAL AGENT: Extremely concerning to mildly, Ms. Whitfield. It's very, very dangerous situation when someone has a list of that many people. And the fact that he's acted on it twice already makes this a pretty urgent situation.

Law enforcement seems to have done a really good job getting ahead of this with some information. Clearly, they know more than what they're telling us here in the public, but to be able to have that information, hopefully, they've warned the victims.

And there are -- other lot of moving parts going on. For instance, there's physical crime scene forensics. There's digital forensics that are going on. And that's where federal authorities like the FBI, the ATF and the Marshals will come in. In case, this person who may be in the area, but in case he has gone outside state lines, they'll have the resources to do that.

From a behavioral perspective, you want to take a look at this, though. This required a lot of planning. It seems like and to act like a police officer. That also is super concerning because as many of your guests have mentioned today, and rightly so, the people who show up to help oftentimes don't know each other until they're on the scene of a crisis like this and working together, you just assume that the other officers are there to help. So it's going to complicate matters.

But I think the most important thing right now for the FBI and for most importantly, for the state officials in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, is to find this suspect and capture him safely so no one else gets hurt.

WHITFIELD: Right. And we heard in that press conference that this suspect, his vehicle, appeared to be like a squad car. He was wearing a badge very similar to when the police chief said a badge like mine.

[13:35:00]

So he looked legit. He looked like a law enforcement officer knocking on the door of these lawmakers at 2:00, you know, 3:00 in the morning kind of hours. And now with this hit list of some 70 targets. What kind of protection, you know, can be mobilized while all these resources are being devoted, or maybe not all, but many resources being devoted to looking for the suspect. But now you also want to provide protection for the people who are on this hit list that may be in this jurisdiction? PACK: Yes, that's a great question. And I think the main thing to do, particularly if you're a resident there and you're unsure, just call the local police department and say, there's a person at my neighborhood, they'll have radio contact with the officers more than likely, and they'll be able to verify the identity.

So it's always good to be a little extra cautious, particularly in a situation like this where there is a little bit of an unknown even among the officers. So you don't want blue on blue. That's the last thing any of us want. That's what we call officer, you know, officer against officer type interactions. Last thing you want. And this suspect has made that pretty difficult by impersonating an officer. Just the people who are supposed to protect you are the very ones that are -- are pretending or dressing up to do the harm. So a very unusual situation. And that does say something about his motivation and planning, I think.

WHITFIELD: How does that further complicate matters too, when even though we heard from investigators that police officers, law enforcement will be operating in pairs, if someone knocks on your door, it won't be one officer for the very fact that you've got this one suspect who may still look like an officer out there, but don't open your door. Call 911. That legitimate officers will be, you know, conducting themselves in pairs if they come to your home.

But talk to me about the apprehension, the level of distrust or fear now from a number of people in the neighborhood, whether they're, you know, in their homes or at businesses, all under this, you know, shelter in place. How this further complicates getting the cooperation from the public that officers, law enforcement want right now?

PACK: That's a great question, too. I think normally most folks want to help police, particularly in situations where life is at risk, like in this particular instance. So just taking that extra second to verify, I don't think law enforcement is going to have a problem with that. They understand this. It seems like police commanders have put this plan in place to protect both the public and the law enforcement officers, so I think it's a good thing.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jason Pack, so appreciate your expertise. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it.

PACK: Thank you, ma'am.

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll have much more on the breaking news of that, you know, these series of shootings now in Minnesota, also recovering the newest rounds of Israeli strikes in Iran. A live report straight ahead.

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[13:42:35]

WHITFIELD: All right, very busy Saturday. We're also continuing to follow breaking news in the Middle East. A new round of Israeli strikes is targeting Iranian provinces. That's according to Iran's state media. They're also reporting a fire has erupted at Iran's largest gas field.

Overnight, Israel and Iran exchanged waves of deadly missile and drone attacks. And right now, at least one medical facility in Tel Aviv is moving patients underground as they prepare for more possible strikes from Iran.

CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is in Tel Aviv. Nic, Israel claims it has gained aerial freedom for a space that stretches from Western Iran to the capital of Tehran. Tell us more about that.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, this is what we've heard from both the spokesman at the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces, and from the prime minister. And the prime minister said that Israel would use this to continue to target the weapons production facilities, the ballistic missile production facilities, drone production facilities, as well as Iran's nuclear sites. This is what he said they're committed to doing.

It also has the effect when Israel is able to sort of move with greater freedom, its air force, deeper into -- deeper into Iran. It means Iran's missile launching capabilities either have to be incredibly well hidden or move further away. And the further away from Israel they get, they fly the missiles, therefore fly in the air for longer, and that gives Israel a better chance to shoot those missiles down.

But to that point, we've heard from the IDF spokesman in the past 20 minutes or so, reminding Israelis that while these gains are being made in the airspace and defeating the -- the surface to air and defense capabilities that Iran has, Iran, the IDF is saying, still has significant capabilities. And although Israel has good defenses, they're not hermetically sealed defenses, which means people have to still listen very carefully to what the government is saying.

And to that point about pushing forward and what people should expect going forward. Schools will be closed tomorrow, Sunday. And I think that really gives you the understanding, far from done. The IDF saying that they are -- they have an operation going on underway in Tehran right now. That of course, following on from the last one, about eight hours ago, perhaps significant because in that period Iran didn't come back and have a counter response.

[13:45:04]

But I don't think anyone here believes Iran's responses are done. They're just waiting for the next one. That's why the schools won't be happening tomorrow.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nic Robertson, thank you so much.

CNN's senior White House reporter, Betsy Klein, is also with us now from the White House. Do you have some new reporting as it connects to this situation with Iran and Israel? BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's right, Fredricka. Look, in the aftermath of Iran or Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders, we have learned that President Trump had issued an ultimatum to Iran's supreme leader. He essentially said, strike a nuclear deal in the next 60 days ending in mid-June, or there will be consequences. And the president had asked Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to give these talks some space to progress and hold off on attacking Iran.

Now, this attack was the result of years of meticulous planning by Israel, and the Trump administration knew in advance that it would be coming, and that Netanyahu was unlikely to be dissuaded. Here, of course, they continued to ratchet up pressure on Iran to accept some sort of deal.

Now, President Trump had pulled the U.S. out of the Obama negotiated Iran nuclear deal back in 2018. But he said at the beginning of this term that he believed there could be a diplomatic solution. In the meantime, Iran has made such significant progress toward developing a nuclear weapon and something that Israel was watching quite closely and said was a threat to their very survival.

So over the course of those 60 days, U.S. officials led by Steve Witkoff, the president's special envoy, have been holding these high stakes negotiations with Iran, moderated by Oman. There was supposed to be a sixth round of talks tomorrow in Oman, and we are learning from a senior administration official that those talks are off.

The official said, we remain committed to the talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Betsy Klein, Nic Robertson, thanks to both of you. Appreciate it.

Our police in Minnesota are calling it a politically motivated set of shootings in Minnesota. Overnight, one longtime Democratic lawmaker and her husband are dead, while another lawmaker and his wife are recovering in the hospital.

The suspected gunman is on the run. Police say they found a hit list with the name of other lawmakers. The latest on this breaking story straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:51:53]

WHITFIELD: All right. More on our top breaking news story out of Minnesota, where a suspect is at large after targeting two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed early this morning at their home.

Officials said, the same gunman shot Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife multiple times. Both of them underwent surgery and are receiving medical care. Former President Biden just issued a statement condemning the politically motivated attacks and calling for all Americans to, I'm quoting now, "unite against political violence as a nation," end quote.

Here's more of what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said this morning about his colleagues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. TIM WALZ (D-MN): My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination. Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest of friends. Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture, and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many. Minnesota's thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, her children, and her parents.

My prayers also go out to State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were each shot multiple times. The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.

This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint. In the state of Minnesota and as recently as last week, in the most closely divided state legislature in the country, we sat down, we worked things out, we debated, we shook hands and compromised, and we served the state of Minnesota together. We proved that it's possible, even in these politically charged times, to find compromise and adhere to the principles of democracy and civil discourse.

We must all, Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence. At this precipice moment we're on, this tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us that democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, is a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place.

We're collaborating with all local, state, and federal agencies on a full investigation. We're committed to keeping Minnesotans informed as the situation continues.

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I assure you that those held -- those responsible for this will be held accountable. And each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country.

I'd now like to turn it over to my public safety team to fill you in on the specifics -- (END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That was Governor Tim Walz earlier today. Minnesota state police also said they found 'No Kings' fliers that were scheduled for today -- the event scheduled for today. They found the fliers inside the suspect's car, which he left behind. And now, presumably, he's on foot.

Officials are asking the public to not attend those protests that were scheduled on the Northern Minnesota area out of an abundance of caution.

Happening right now. Demonstrations are taking place, however, around the country to protest President Trump's policies and what's being called 'No Kings Day.' Just hours before a parade to honor the Army's 250th anniversary and President Trump's birthday. Live team coverage straight ahead.

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