Texas Capitol Evacuated Over ‘Credible Threat’ Against Reps Headed to ‘No Kings’ Trump Protest

Photo by Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via AP.

The Texas Capitol was evacuated on Saturday over a “credible threat” against lawmakers planning to attend an anti-Trump protest. The evacuation came shortly after two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers were shot in a targeted attack.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement on Saturday saying they “identified a credible threat against state lawmakers planning to attend a protest later today.” The protest is one of many “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his administration.

“DPS will collaborate with all local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and state property, as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech,” the statement reads.

DPS said the Texas State Capitol Complex was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution” at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday. They said an investigation is “ongoing” and the grounds remain temporarily closed. A number of lawmakers are planning to attend a protest against Trump around 5 p.m. in Austin.

The statement did not identify which specific lawmakers were targeted.

The evacuation came only hours after Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman were both targeted in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) called a “politically-motivated” attack. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both killed. Hoffamn and his wife, Yvette, are in stable condition after being treated for gunshot wounds. Former Walz appointee Vance Luther Boelter, still at large, was identified as the suspect behind the shooting.

Minnesota police urged residents to avoid the “No Kings” rallies being planned for Saturday until they have their suspect in custody.

“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,” they said in a statement.

Police included an image from inside the suspect’s car — which he left when fleeing from police at Hortman’s home — which included a number of flyers for the “No Kings” rally.

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