The two made a rare joint appearance at a somber gathering in Minnesota, where political leaders, grieving families, and members of the public came together to honor the life of a former House Speaker.
Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris recently attended the funeral of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, following their deaths in a suspected politically driven assault. The two leaders sat side by side during the Catholic Mass and were later seen clasping hands during prayer.
The private service took place Saturday morning, June 28, at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. Over 1000 people were in attendance, including members of Congress, state officials, and friends of the couple.
Biden wore a black suit and navy tie, while Harris appeared in a dark coat dress pinned with a remembrance button. As the congregation rose for the Lord’s Prayer, the two held each other’s hands in a moment of stillness.
The former president visited the Capitol that afternoon to pay his respects and meet privately with the couple’s children. At the funeral Mass, Governor Tim Walz, who served as a pallbearer, described the Hortmans as devoted public servants whose lives were rooted in service and joy.
“Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history,” he said, recalling that she had passed several bills into law over her 11-term tenure in the state House.
According to federal prosecutors, on June 14, the murder suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, impersonated a law enforcement officer and fatally shot the Hortmans inside their home in Brooklyn Park. The couple’s dog was also killed.
Over an hour before they were attacked, Boelter allegedly shot and injured another state lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife. The incident, which officials have called politically motivated, has prompted renewed conversations about political extremism and safety.
During the Mass, Father Dan Griffith spoke about the couple’s warmth and hospitality, saying their home was affectionately called the “Hortman Hotel.” Colin Hortman, the couple’s son, offered a closing prayer and read from a copy of the Prayer of St. Francis, which had been found in his mother’s wallet.
Concern over Biden’s posture during the service continued to stir online. “He doesn’t look well. Very sad,” one Instagrammer wrote. “So weird,” another person remarked. A third suggested that Harris was “trying to keep him from falling down or wandering off.”
Still, many viewers were moved by their presence at the funeral. One commenter described their attendance as a testament to “heart and class,” while another called the moment “so tragic,” adding that “Joe and Kamala are such sweet, kind people.”
Following the Mass, the couple’s caskets were taken to Lakewood Cemetery for burial. A small group of family members and close friends attended the graveside service. White flowers surrounded the site, and mourners gathered in quiet circles as final prayers were said.
Boelter has been charged in federal court with two counts of murder, two counts of stalking, and weapons violations. Prosecutors have not ruled out pursuing the death penalty.
A parallel state case may proceed with charges that could carry a life sentence without parole. Officials described the manhunt that followed as the largest in Minnesota history.
Melissa Hortman, who was 53 at the time of her death, served in the legislature for two decades. Her colleagues across party lines remembered her for her pragmatism, wit, and unwavering focus on improving people’s lives.
