A credible shooting threat forced the evacuation of the Texas Capitol Tuesday evening, following a wave of left-wing outrage over a GOP-backed redistricting vote.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) cleared the building around 6:30 p.m. after a post on social media urged violence — specifically calling on activists to “take action by shooting and killing those who will not allow lawmakers to leave.”
The threat came amid renewed tensions over redistricting, an issue that’s become a political powder keg in Texas. Democrats, many of whom previously fled the state to stall a vote, had just returned to Austin. Now, they’re refusing to comply with new rules requiring a police escort when exiting the Capitol — a common-sense safety measure, given the climate.
Roughly 150 protesters gathered outside the building, railing against what they claim is an attack on Democratic lawmakers’ autonomy. But let’s call it what it is: a protest against law and order, backed by an increasingly hostile activist fringe.
DPS allowed some Democratic lawmakers and staff to leave under police supervision. No injuries were reported.
Authorities are investigating the source of the threat, though the suspect has yet to be identified. The Capitol and its grounds remained closed for the remainder of the day.
This latest incident highlights just how far political unrest has spiraled. Redistricting battles are no longer confined to the floor — they’re bleeding into real-world threats and evacuations.
And while lawmakers debate district lines, they’re also facing a far more urgent challenge: staying safe in an environment where rhetoric turns to risk, and protests edge into violence.
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