The Affogato: Charges, Controversy, and Common Sense

President Donald Trump stirred debate at the G7 by calling Russia’s 2014 expulsion from that body “a mistake,” and a school district in Colorado Springs becomes the second in the country to adopt a policy barring biological males from girls’ sports to ensure fairness and safety.

But first, an update on the man suspected of killing one Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband and severely injuring another and his wife over the weekend. The shooter is now in custody.

Minnesota Shooting Suspect Arrested and Charged

In yesterday’s Affogato we shared the tragic news of two separate shootings on Minnesota state lawmakers that took place early Saturday morning. The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested late Sunday near Green Isle in Sibley County after a two-day manhunt. Former Minnesota state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were found dead at their Brooklyn Park home Saturday morning; Boelter is also accused of wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin the same day. Both legislators were Democrats.

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Boelter’s arrest in a Facebook post, sharing a photo of him in handcuffs and praising the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and the community.

Yesterday during a press conference, Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said the U.S. Department of Justice filed six federal charges against Boelter, including two counts of murder with a firearm, two counts of stalking using interstate commerce, and two other firearms offenses. Boelter also faces four state charges including murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree. Minnesota does not have the death penalty, but the federal government does; it’s “too early to tell” if prosecutors will pursue it, though.

BREAKING NEWS: Vance Boelter now faces federal charges, which are death penalty eligible, in the murder of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. pic.twitter.com/Uk8A5eO6bQ

— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) June 16, 2025

Boelter appeared in federal and state court yesterday for his first hearing. The state set his bond at $5 million. He will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshall’s Service until his next federal court appearance on June 27. As more details come to light for this senseless act of violence, please stay focused on praying for the families of the victims and reconciliation among political parties to help cool the heated temperatures currently spiking in U.S. politics.

A Big Mistake?

During the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, yesterday, President Donald Trump criticized the body for expelling Russia from it in 2014, when it was the G8. He called it a “mistake,” suggesting that including Vladimir Putin could have prevented the Ukraine war. Speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump blamed former President Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for Russia’s ouster after it annexed the Crimea.

HOLY SMOKES! Trump just TORCHED the globalists at the G7 for facilitating the Ukraine-Russia war by preventing diplomacy with Russia.

“The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn’t want to have Russia in, and I would say that was a mistake, because… pic.twitter.com/uI9aRLq3h8

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 16, 2025

Back in 2018, Trump strained his relationships with other G7 leaders when he called for Russia’s readmission to the group, currently comprised of the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK. (The European Union participates as a non-enumerated member.) Together, those nations represent more than half the global GDP.

Trump also urged Iran to negotiate a quick end to its conflict with Israel. He also discussed trade disputes with Canada, which has been impacted by U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum due to China flooding the market. Trump did say a deal with Canada could be days or weeks away, but “both parties have to agree.” He suggested Canada join the U.S. as a state in order to get the benefits of our defense, and pressed leaders to take action on fentanyl trafficking. Trump’s attendance at the G7 marks his first high-profile international meeting since beginning his second term.

Wonder what else all these leaders could talk about with Trump?

Something Good in Colorado

The Colorado Springs District 11 became the second, after El Paso County school district, to approve a new policy barring boys from competing in girls’ sports. The policy, Preserving Fairness and Safety in Sports, recognizes the inherit differences between males and females, and states that sex-based distinctions are appropriate to ensure fairness, safety, and equal opportunity. The policy also prohibits biological male students from entering female locker rooms and being lodged in the same hotel rooms during athletic team travel for events.

Complete Colorado reports that it was approved in a 6-1 vote. Director Julie Ott called it “hateful” and “illegal” before casting a no vote. El Paso County school district Falcon 49 became the first school board in the country to adopt a similar policy in May, following President Trump’s executive order in February saying schools allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports risked their federal funding.

The new policy states flatly that:

Allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports is part of a broader attempt to debase the entire category of ‘woman’ and transform laws intended to protect sex-based opportunities into laws that hurt girls by undermining their identity, are inherently unfair, and denigrating to their rights.

That’s what we like to call “hitting the nail on the head.”

Where in the World Is John Zmirak?

The Affogato summer series game: Where in the World is John Zmirak?

The renowned ancient city with this palace is the largest and most typical archaeological site ever discovered on which island?

We’re in the final stretch of tracking down John, and the person with the most correct (or close to correct) submissions will get a free gift from us at the end of the month.

Do you think you know which country John is in? Send your guesses to us at ContactUs@Stream.org or visit our Facebook page.

Along The Stream…

Keep an eye out for John Zmirak’s latest analysis, “The Pro-Riot Left Is Following the Nazi Playbook for Seizing Power.”

Later today, Joel Malm and his father Rick discuss “Suffering: Is It Necessary? Can It Be Avoided?”

Gayle McQueary is The Stream’s social media specialist. She has a background in production and is a scary judge of polticizing tragedy.

The post The Affogato: Charges, Controversy, and Common Sense appeared first on The Stream.

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