Gov. Walz says he’ll issue executive order to use National Guard for State Capitol protection

During a press conference Tuesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he will likely issue an executive order to mobilize the National Guard to provide security assistance at the State Capitol.

The governor’s announcement comes after an FBI memo warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington D.C. in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

FBI warns of plans for nationwide armed protests at all 50 state capitals next week

“The plans are in place,” Walz said. “I will probably either later today or early tomorrow be issuing an executive order to use the National Guard for the next several days as we prepare during this specific threat period to make sure that both our Capitol, our citizens and the peaceful transfer of power is done.”

Walz says there is already a fence around the state capitol and you can expect to see an increased presence of Minnesota State Patrolmen in coming days. He says he is coordinating with the FBI and local agencies.

"There are preparations happening now you don’t see. Especially some of the online stuff, people talking and making threats there," he said.

On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers mobilized the National Guard to provide security assistance at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.