Fact check: Minnesota hit man was a Tim Walz appointee

1. Summary of the results

The statement is factually accurate but lacks important context. Multiple sources confirm that Vance Boelter was indeed appointed to the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Board by Governor Tim Walz in 2019 ^{[1] [2]}. However, this appointment was actually a reappointment, as Boelter had originally been appointed to the same board by Governor Mark Dayton in 2016 ^{[1] [2]}.

The sources verify that Boelter was involved in shootings targeting Minnesota lawmakers, with one source noting he had "a 'hit list' of 45 officials" ^[3] and that Governor Walz called the shootings "an act of targeted political violence" ^[3]. Boelter has been charged and could face the death penalty ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits several crucial pieces of context:

• Boelter was originally appointed by a different governor - Governor Mark Dayton (a Democrat) first appointed him in 2016, making Walz's 2019 action a reappointment rather than an initial appointment ^{[1] [2]}
• The appointment was ceremonial in nature - Sources emphasize that these appointments to advisory boards are largely ceremonial, and "Walz does not personally interview or know the appointees to such boards" ^{[1] [2]}
• No indication of prior knowledge - There is "no indication that Walz had knowledge of Boelter's plans or that he was involved in the shootings" ^[5]
• Political weaponization - The incident has generated "backlash from MAGA figures and the call for Walz's resignation" ^[5], suggesting this information is being used for political purposes

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement, while technically accurate, appears designed to mislead through omission of critical context:

• Implies sole responsibility - By stating "Tim Walz appointee" without mentioning the prior appointment by Governor Dayton, it suggests Walz bears unique responsibility for vetting Boelter
• Suggests personal connection - The phrasing implies Walz personally selected Boelter, when sources indicate governors do not have personal relationships with all appointees to such boards ^[2]
• Lacks temporal context - The statement doesn't clarify that the appointment occurred years before any criminal activity, potentially implying Walz appointed someone he knew to be dangerous

Political actors, particularly those opposing Walz's vice presidential candidacy, would benefit from promoting this narrative as it attempts to create guilt by association without acknowledging the ceremonial nature of the appointment or the lack of any reasonable way Walz could have predicted future criminal behavior ^[5].