Texas DPS arrests man in connection with threat against lawmakers at 'No Kings' protest

Texas officials arrested a man Saturday evening in connection with a "credible threat" against state lawmakers attending the Democratic-led "No Kings" protest at the state Capitol. There is no additional active threat, the Department of Public Safety said in a statement just after 5 p.m.

A state trooper with the Department of Public Safety detained the man after a traffic stop in La Grange, around 65 miles southeast of Austin.

The suspect's motive for threatening lawmakers was not immediately clear. On Saturday night, a spokesperson for the agency said preliminary information suggested the man was politically "far left-leaning" and sought to harm those with whom he disagreed politically. Initially, DPS said the man targeted lawmakers who were planning to attend the "No Kings" protest, all of whom are Democrats. An investigation is ongoing.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican, condemned the planned attack on Saturday night.

"Acts or threats of violence against elected officials over political differences have no place in our society and will be met with zero tolerance," Burrows wrote in a statement on X, responding to a report that the suspect was left-leaning. "We are grateful to DPS for their unwavering commitment to protecting lawmakers, staff, and all Texans."

The threats had roiled the capital city, leading the state's Department of Public Safety to evacuate the Capitol building and surrounding grounds "out of an abundance of caution" around 1 p.m. DPS reopened the grounds around 4:40 p.m., per a memo addressed to lawmakers and staff.

The man is now in custody and an investigation is active and ongoing, DPS said in a statement, pledging to "protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech."

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair and state Rep. Gene Wu, who is sponsoring the protest, said the demonstration will continue as planned on the Capitol grounds. The grounds will close at 8 p.m.

The threat came on the same day two state lawmakers in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party were assassinated in Minnesota, and both events left Texas elected officials shaken. In a letter Saturday night, 44 out of 62 Texas House Democrats called on Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to strengthen protections for state lawmakers in light of the killings.

The lawmakers blamed the assassinations on "violent rhetoric" employed by Republican President Donald Trump, such as calling political opponents "enemies of the people" and describing immigrants as "invaders." They asked Abbott to condemn the rhetoric, which they also tied to the racist killings of 23 people in an El Paso Walmart in 2019. The gunman, who pleaded guilty to the murders in April, was motivated to stop what he believed was a Hispanic "invasion."

"For years, and just like the shooting in El Paso, violent rhetoric has stoked the flames of division and resulted in tragedy," the letter, penned by Wu, reads. "We await your immediate response and action to protect democracy in Texas, and your overt condemnation of political rhetoric that has now resulted in the murder of elected officials." Eighteen Democrats did not sign the missive.

Republicans similarly claimed the campaign rhetoric of former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, led to President Donald Trump's near-assassination in September.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: Death threats are 'sadly a part of serving in public life,' must be taken seriously

The alleged threats come amid a nationwide day of anti-Trump protest scheduled for Saturday, dubbed "No Kings Day." Plans include a rally at the Texas Capitol, which was expected to draw thousands of demonstrators.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement that the threat "was made to possibly kill members of the Texas Legislature at the Capitol," adding that "death threats are sadly a part of serving in public life today" but must be taken seriously.

DPS first alerted Capitol lawmakers and staffers of the "credible threat toward state legislators" attending Saturday's "No Kings" protest in an email just before 1 p.m. Saturday. State Rep. Charlie Geren, who chairs the House Administration Committee, told lawmakers in an internal email he believed the situation was an isolated one.

"However, we're always concerned about copycats and those who the attack might inspire. Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential threats."

He added that police had found a list of potential targets in the vehicle of the suspect in the killings of the two Minnesota lawmakers.

Austin Democratic state Rep. John Bucy III, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, and U.S. Rep. Greg Casar are planning to attend Saturday's demonstration.

Minnesota lawmaker and husband shot, killed; another lawmaker and wife injured

Authorities have confirmed that Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed inside their Brooklyn Park home. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in Champlin, another suburban city near Brooklyn Park. The cities are 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has called the incident a "politically motivated assassination." He said he was briefed on "targeted shootings" early Saturday morning and had responded by activating the State Emergency Operations Center.

As of 12:30 p.m. CDT Saturday, authorities were still searching for a 57-year-old man suspected to be involved in both shootings.

Texas House speaker calls Minnesota shootings a 'heinous act of political violence'

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican, condemned the violence against the Minnesota lawmakers.

"This senseless, heinous act of political violence has no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

Today, we must recommit ourselves as a nation to civility and ensuring the safety of those who serve in public office, as well as the citizens they represent.

On behalf of the Texas House, I extend our deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and our colleagues in the Minnesota Legislature. We continue to pray for the Hoffmans' full and swift recovery, and for comfort and strength for the Hortman family as they grieve this unspeakable loss."

Minnesota 'No Kings' protests canceled after targeted shootings

Protest organizers in Minnesota's capital, who initially expected 10,000 people to participate, canceled the statewide events early Saturday afternoon.