Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made a rare joint appearance on June 28, traveling to Minneapolis to attend the funeral Mass for former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The solemn service at the Basilica of St. Mary drew over a thousand mourners—fellow lawmakers, grieving families, and community members—united in their grief over the couple’s senseless, politically motivated deaths.
Dressed in a classic black suit and navy tie, Biden sat beside Harris, who wore a dark coat dress accented by a simple remembrance pin. As the congregation rose for the Lord’s Prayer, the two clasped hands in quiet solidarity, offering each other support during the moment of collective sorrow.
News of their presence sparked an outpouring of emotion online. Many praised their attendance as a demonstration of compassion and leadership, while others expressed concern over Biden’s posture and appeared anxious about his well-being. Some observers speculated that Harris was physically steadying him, interpreting her grip as protective rather than purely symbolic.
The funeral followed a public memorial held the previous day in the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda, where thousands paid their respects, making Hortman the first woman in state history to lie in honor there. At that event, Biden quietly greeted the couple’s children, then joined the service the next morning.
Governor Tim Walz, one of the pallbearers, lauded Melissa Hortman’s legacy: “She was the most consequential Speaker in our state’s history,” he reminded the crowd, recounting her two decades of public service and the landmark legislation she championed. During the Mass, Father Dan Griffith spoke of the Hortmans’ warmth, calling their home the “Hortman Hotel,” and their son Colin closed with the Prayer of St. Francis—an prayer his mother kept in her wallet.
Federal prosecutors have charged 57-year-old Vance Boelter with the couple’s murders, along with earlier attacks on Senator John Hoffman and his wife, actions officials have described as politically motivated. As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the nation mourns not only the loss of two dedicated public servants but also the chilling reminder of the dangers posed by political violence.
Through their shared grief, Biden and Harris underscored the importance of unity and empathy, showing that even in the highest offices, leaders can stand together to honor lives cut tragically short.
