Governor Tim Walz says he’ll call out the Minnesota National Guard amid potential threats against the State Capitol prior to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, to protect the public safety:
“To make sure that both our Capitol [and] our citizens [are safe] and the peaceful transfer of power is done.” The governor wouldn’t talk specifics but did say,”You will see a presence of folks protecting folks’ First Amendment rights to peacefully assemble and protest. I would make the case that you gotta pretty weak argument if you need to bring a gun to do it, but that’s some of what it sounds like will happen.”
Walz says some people are posting state lawmakers’ names and addresses on-line and threatening to go to their houses. The governor says the state is standing up 24/7 hotlines that lawmakers can call for assistance.