Capitol Intrusion Raises Security Fears After Assassination \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A naked man with apparent mental health issues was found inside the Minnesota State Capitol late Friday. The breach comes weeks after the political assassination of a top Democrat, raising urgent security questions. GOP leaders demand answers as officials investigate how the man entered the Senate chamber after hours.
Quick Looks
- A naked man was discovered in the Senate chamber at 11:30 p.m. Friday.
- The man claimed to be the Governor and showed signs of mental distress.
- He was hospitalized and later released but returned to Capitol grounds the next morning.
- He had a probation-violation warrant from Wisconsin, now updated for potential action.
- The breach follows the June assassination of Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman.
- Officials are investigating how he accessed secured areas after hours.
- GOP leaders Lisa Demuth and Mark Johnson demand arrests and stronger security.
- The State Patrol is reviewing surveillance footage and evaluating next steps.
- The Capitol was open during business hours, but his entry time is unclear.
- Discussions on heightened security for lawmakers are underway.
Deep Look
A security breach inside the Minnesota State Capitol late Friday night has triggered political backlash and public concern, following the discovery of a naked man believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis inside the Senate chamber. The incident comes just six weeks after the fatal shooting of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in what authorities have described as a politically motivated assassination.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered around 11:30 p.m. in the Senate chamber, according to a communication sent to lawmakers by House Sergeant-at-Arms Lori Hodapp. She reported that the individual made several bizarre claims, including a statement that he was the Governor. He was found unclothed and appeared disoriented. Capitol Security responded immediately, taking him to a hospital in St. Paul for psychiatric evaluation.
Authorities determined that the man did not pose an immediate threat to himself or others and released him—only for him to return to the Capitol grounds by 7:30 a.m. the next day. His reappearance heightened concerns over security gaps at one of the state’s most sensitive government facilities.
In her statement to lawmakers, Hodapp said an investigation was underway to determine how the man entered the secured premises after business hours. She confirmed that he had an active probation-violation warrant from Wisconsin, which initially did not qualify for extradition. The warrant has since been updated to permit legal action should the man come into contact with authorities again.
Republican leaders swiftly condemned the security lapse. House Speaker Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring criticized the lack of immediate consequences, stating, “It’s frustrating that an individual with a criminal history was able to allegedly vandalize the Capitol and unlawfully trespass in the Senate chamber without being taken into custody. Anyone who trespasses in any building — let alone the State Capitol — should be arrested and prosecuted.”
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson echoed those concerns. “We are living in a heightened threat environment,” Johnson said, referencing the recent targeted attack against lawmakers. He urged Capitol Security and the State Patrol to provide clear answers and ensure the breach isn’t repeated.
Colonel Christina Bogojevic, head of the Minnesota State Patrol, said there was no immediate evidence of forced entry, noting the Capitol is open to the public during daytime business hours. However, the man’s presence in the chamber well past midnight remains unexplained. Officials are combing through surveillance footage to determine his path through the building and identify potential failures in access control.
Upon being spotted on the Capitol grounds again Saturday morning, the man was taken back to the hospital for a second evaluation. Authorities have emphasized that he did not display violent behavior during either encounter. “The safety and well-being of everyone who works at and visits the Capitol is our top priority,” Bogojevic stated. “We take this situation seriously and are committed to understanding how it occurred.”
This unsettling breach has revived urgent discussions about whether current Capitol security measures are sufficient—especially in light of recent violent attacks against public officials. On June 14, Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in what investigators have described as a politically driven ambush by a man posing as a police officer. A state senator and his wife were also seriously injured in the attack.
The suspect in that shooting, 57-year-old Vance Boelter of Green Isle, is facing both state and federal charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder. His attorney has stated that Boelter intends to plead not guilty at his federal arraignment, which has been moved up from September 12 to August 7.
In the wake of these incidents, legislative and administrative leaders are actively debating the need for heightened security protocols both within Capitol grounds and for individual lawmakers. Options being considered include stricter after-hours access, enhanced surveillance, physical barriers, and increased patrol staffing.
While mental health is clearly a factor in the recent Capitol intrusion, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are demanding accountability, urging officials to act quickly to prevent further breaches, and to ensure that symbolic democratic institutions remain secure.
As investigations continue, the breach serves as a stark reminder of how political tension, public safety, and mental health crises can intersect — sometimes with tragic or unsettling consequences. In Minnesota, where the Capitol symbolizes both political power and public accessibility, leaders are now forced to ask a difficult question: how do you secure a building meant to remain open in a time of rising threats?
Capitol Intrusion Raises Capitol Intrusion Raises
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