(NewsNation) — Former U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat who was on the accused Minnesota shooter’s hit list, said he is used to the threat of harm from his time in office.
Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter was captured Sunday, almost two days after he allegedly shot two lawmakers in the state and their spouses. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed.
“The sad truth is … we’re subject to this crap all the time,” Phillips told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo. “When I ran for president, the most expensive line item in my budget was for security.
“This isn’t about me. I’m used to it, but I’m thinking about my kids right now, and I’m thinking about all the people in our country, Chris, who aspire to help this country, to aspire to serve, who are now thinking twice about it because of creeps like the one that perpetuated these terrible crimes,” he added.
Despite another example of political violence and extremism, Phillips believes there is reason to be optimistic.
“I think it’s time that people like (Rep.) Mike Lawler and I, and others who know better, start rising, and I just hope people start paying attention,” he said.