DPS: 1 arrested after ‘credible’ threat to state legislators planning to attend protest

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety said the State Capitol building and grounds were evacuated and closed Saturday after investigators identified a credible threat to state lawmakers planning to attend a “No Kings” protest that evening.

Shortly before 5 p.m. when the protest was set to begin, the agency confirmed to KXAN it had one person in custody in connection to the threat, arrested during a traffic stop by a DPS trooper in La Grange. The name of that person and a potential charge have not yet been released.

Capitol grounds were also reopened, per DPS. The agency said, at this time, there is “no additional active threat,” though the investigation is “active and ongoing.”

“DPS has a duty to protect the people and property of Texas and is continuously monitoring events occurring today and their impact on public safety across the state,” the agency said in a statement to KXAN. “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.”

Lawmakers and their staff also received a message Saturday from House Administration Chairman Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, about the threat, which referred to two Minnesota lawmakers being attacked overnight by a suspect dressed as a police officer.

Former Minnesota Speaker and State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed, and Sen. John Hoffman and his spouse are in critical condition. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it was a “politically motivated assassination.”

“It seems to be an isolated incident. However, we’re always concerned about copycats and those who this attack might inspire,” Geren’s message said.

According to protest organizers, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, were among the lawmakers set to speak during the protest on Capitol grounds. Officials with Doggett’s office said he still plans to attend the protest in Austin this evening and said the lawmaker “believes DPS is taking every reasonable step to assure the safety of all participants.”

Other lawmakers, including Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, issued statements, condemning the violent acts in Minnesota and the potential for more, saying “public service should never come at the cost of our safety or our lives.”

“As someone who has worked extensively on issues of homeland security and public safety, I have seen the growing threats targeting elected officials across our country,” Bowers added. “Today’s events are a tragic reminder that these threats are not abstract — they are real, they are escalating, and they strike at the very heart of our democracy.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said on social media “death threats are sadly a part of serving in public life today.”

“Members don’t talk about it often, but the state gets dozens of threats monthly,” Patrick continued. “Most turn out to be people who go too far in their emails or calls. They quickly recant when confronted claiming they didn’t really mean it, but all have to be taken seriously. There’s a difference between free speech complaints, which we welcome, and making death threats. The latter can be a crime.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott told KXAN, “State officials should be able to do their duty free from political intimidation,” adding that “DPS maintains a robust set of operational capabilities to mitigate threats and keep Texas officials safe.”

Saturday’s protest, “No Kings/Kick out the Clowns,” was planned as part of a nationwide action against recent actions by President Donald Trump and his administration. The Austin rally was organized by Hands Off Central TX.

KXAN reached out to protest organizers following reports of canceling the event for safety reasons. Sophia Mirto with Hands Off Central TX said, as of early afternoon, there were no plans to cancel the scheduled protest.