The Michigan Capitol in Lansing was among at least 11 — and news reports indicated as many as 23 — state Capitol buildings across the country to receive threats Wednesday
The Michigan Advance was informed by Lt. Rene Gonzalez, the public information officer for the Michigan State Police First District Headquarters, that at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, an email was sent to a general account belonging to the Michigan State Capitol Commission containing a threat regarding the Michigan State Capitol Building
Just after 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the MSP First District posted to X that the danger had been eliminated.
After thorough inspections, it has been concluded that there is no threat at the Lansing Capitol. The message stated that the building will be closed for the day.The Michigan State Capitol announced earlier on X that it will be closed Wednesday for the rest of the day.
House Speaker Joe Tate’s (D-Detroit) spokeswoman, Amber McCann, acknowledged to the Advance that the facility was evacuated because of security concerns, but she sent questions about specifics to the Michigan State Police.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, a Democrat from Grand Rapids, described the circumstances as “frightening” for all parties concerned.
“I am immensely appreciative of the men and women from the Michigan State Police, Senate Police, and House Police who acted quickly to safeguard everyone who is employed at or visits the Capitol building,” Brinks said on social media.As of 11:30 a.m., there was no increased police presence near the Michigan Capitol. The building was not as full as it could have been because the Legislature is not scheduled to reconvene until next week.
At least eleven state capitol buildings, including those in Connecticut, Minnesota, Georgia, Maine, Kentucky, Idaho, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Montana, received threats on Wednesday, including Michigan.
The Kentucky Lantern said that the state’s secretary of state, along with others around the nation, received a bomb threat, prompting the evacuation of the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday morning.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated on social media that his government is aware of threats to other offices in other states that are similar in nature.
“Kentucky State Police has asked everyone to leave the state Capitol while they investigate a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office,” Beshear stated, adding that “everyone is safe.”
Early in the afternoon, Kentucky State Police let people back into the Capitol after searching the building and its surroundings.
