Texas Capitol Evacuated Over Credible Threat Ahead of Nationwide Anti-Trump Protests

The Texas State Capitol in Austin was evacuated after the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) identified a credible threat targeting state lawmakers planning to attend the “No Kings” protest, an anti-Trump demonstration scheduled for the evening. The evacuation, carried out as a precaution, followed politically motivated shootings earlier that day in Minnesota, where Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded. Authorities are investigating the threat and coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure safety while protecting constitutional rights to assembly and free speech. Lawmakers scheduled to speak at the protest included U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, among others. The Minnesota shootings, which involved a suspect impersonating a police officer, raised concerns about potential copycat attacks, prompting the cancellation of all “No Kings” rallies in Minnesota and heightened security measures in Texas. Texas officials and lawmakers condemned the violence and emphasized the need to swiftly bring perpetrators to justice while maintaining public safety.