State DPS: No Imminent Threat to Minnesota Capitol This Weekend

Jennifer Lewerenz

(KNSI) – Law enforcement authorities say there is no longer an imminent threat to the Minnesota Capitol this weekend.

An FBI report from December 29th warned of violence at the Minnesota and Michigan capitols by members of the right-wing Boogaloo movement, but Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said that report is now dated.

“The FBI is not finding any credible, local threats,” Harrington said. “The Department of Homeland Security has said to us there is no local, credible threats, and the state BCA [Bureau of Criminal Apprehension] has not found any credible, local threats.”

In a press conference Friday with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and other law enforcement leaders, Harrington said DPS has taken the right steps and looked at “all the different vulnerabilities around the capitol and around possible attacks.”

As Walz recalled last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump and a failed attempt to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer a few months ago, he said there is going to be accountability for any threats or violence.

“We need to figure out how to get through this,” Walz said. “We take these threats seriously because they’ve manifested themselves.

“Here in Minnesota, our first priority is the security of Minnesotans,” Walz continued, “and I feel comfortable that these folks will be able to assure you that’s being done.”

An increased security force — including Minnesota National Guard soldiers — will be present at the Minnesota Capitol this weekend and through President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says he has heard from community members deeply affected by the news of possible threats at the state capitol. Carter said he has great confidence in the city’s police chief, Todd Axtell, and other law enforcement leaders to keep the capitol and surrounding communities safe.

“We are concerned with the security of our state capitol, and we’re prepared to secure our state capitol,” Carter said. “We’re concerned with the security of our surrounding neighborhoods.”

Earlier this week, the message to Minnesotans was to remain away from the capitol complex this weekend, unless they have legitimate business or other reasons to be there.

“You will see some traffic control around the capitol; that will be a little bit different in the coming days,” said Colonel Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “We’re working hard to not inhibit people from doing their business, but we also want to maintain safety around the capitol.”