The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) evacuated the Texas State Capitol around 1 p.m. on Saturday due to a “credible threat” directed at state lawmakers.
🚨#BREAKING: The Texas Capitol building has been evacuated due to "credible threat toward state lawmakers pic.twitter.com/Y8NJMuhIYU
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 14, 2025
FOX 7 Austin reports:
Texas DPS says it evacuated the Capitol and Capitol Grounds around 1 p.m. and is working with law enforcement to address the threat.
The agency says the investigation is ongoing.
Both the Capitol and the grounds are temporarily closed.
The State Capitol grounds are expected to be the site of tonight’s “No Kings” protest in Austin.
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State lawmakers planned to attend the protest at the Texas State Capitol.
⚠️ ALERT: Texas State Capitol evacuated during “No Kings” protest due to “credible threat against state lawmakers” pic.twitter.com/e0SRQJAOCl
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) June 14, 2025
A closer look:
WATCH:
JUST IN: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has evacuated the Capitol grounds in Austin out of an abundance of caution after they identified a “credible threat” against state lawmakers that were planning to attend a protest later today at the Texas State Capitol Complex.… pic.twitter.com/uf5q7C7CWw
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) June 14, 2025
The development follows the shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers, resulting in the death of a state representative and her husband.
Per KXAN:
Lawmakers and staffers 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.
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.”
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This story is developing.
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