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Minnesota Elevates Trooper to Capitol Threat Investigator as Threats Double

An advisory panel is preparing recommendations informed by an external security audit before the 2026 session.

Overview

  • The State Patrol reports 50 threats against officials in 2025, up from 19 in 2024, with 13 cases referred for criminal charges so far.
  • A sworn trooper will be promoted in early December to serve as a dedicated threat investigator working at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as a liaison to Capitol security.
  • Twenty new Capitol security officers are completing background checks and are set to begin training in mid-November as overall staffing at the complex increases.
  • An external firm led by former St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell plans to deliver a Capitol security assessment by year’s end to guide policy choices.
  • Minnesota’s Capitol still lacks metal detectors and allows firearms, unlike most states, and access has been tightened since an after-hours breach that prompted reduced entry points and expanded badge-only doors.