Democratic lawmakers in Utah reported threats to their offices Thursday following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in the state a day prior.
“Multiple members of our caucus and our staff have received intimidating phone calls from strangers following Mr. Kirk’s death. Many of these calls place blame on the Democratic Party and registered Democrats as a whole for shooting,” Utah House Minority Leader Angela Romero said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
“We want the members of our caucus to stay cautious in light of these threatening calls,” she added.
Democrats in the Utah House have been told by leadership to stay vigilant over the following days.
A suspect has not yet been found in relation to Kirk’s death, and any possible motive is unknown. Kirk was shot and killed at a political event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday afternoon.
State lawmakers have increasingly called for more security in statehouses. These conversations notably increased after the politically motivated murders of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and the attempted murder of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
Eleven state capitols don’t have metal detectors, and 19 are without X-ray machines to scan items visitors bring into the building, according to a 2024 audit. Seven additional states allow visitors to conceal carry weapons in state capitols.
The Wisconsin State Capitol, for example, has all three of those factors at play. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Leader Robin Vos indicated Thursday that he would be looking into ways to bolster safety at the state capitol, but noted that capitol buildings are not where most crimes against political figures happen.
He said he is looking at other ways lawmakers can bolster security at their homes or places “where they might be vulnerable.”
CONGRESS REVIEWS SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN AFTERMATH OF CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION
At the national level, some members of Congress have canceled events in the wake of Kirk’s death.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who has faced many death threats during her time in office, said she was postponing two events she had this weekend. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a candidate for governor of South Carolina, said she would cancel all her outdoor events for the foreseeable future.
