Wisconsin News

Wisconsin lawmakers consider Capitol security needs after Minnesota assassinations

June 20, 2025

In the hours after a man shot two Minnesota lawmakers in their homes on Saturday, Wisconsin’s legislative leaders issued a rare joint statement.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, were joined by Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, and Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, in condemning political violence after reports that the shootings were a politically targeted assassination and assassination attempt.

“No one should ever fear for their lives because of their service to their community,” the leaders wrote. “Political violence accomplishes nothing, and is never the answer.”

But in the days since, even after the revelation that at least 11 Wisconsin officials were named in a manifesto by the alleged shooter, lawmakers have differed about security needs for elected officials in the state.

Speaking before the Assembly convened for a standard session on Wednesday, Vos said it was important to “take a breath and look at what’s going to be the actual best potential solution, as opposed to a knee-jerk reaction.”

“The thing that’s most scary is this didn’t occur in a Capitol (building),” he added. “It occurred at someone’s home. So the idea of trying to make the Capitol into a fortress, I don’t know if that necessarily would even have ever done anything … to help the awful situation that happened in Minnesota.”

Vos said Republicans planned to discuss next steps but expressed doubts about the efficacy of making the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison less immediately accessible.

His caucus is not necessarily united in their response, however. Over the weekend, Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said on WISN-TV that he wanted to see metal detectors and a ban on members of the public carrying firearms at the Capitol.

On the other side of the aisle, Democratic leaders were more vague about prospective security changes, citing safety concerns.

“I feel safe in our Capitol building. I think we’re going to continue to have conversations to make sure that everyone else feels safe as well,” Hesselbein said.

Asked about metal detectors specifically, Neubauer declined to comment.

“We’re not going to comment at this point on specific security measures, but are open to longer-term conversations to ensure that everyone feels safe,” she said.

Heightened security measures went into effect at the Capitol this week. Wisconsin State Capitol Senate Sergeant at Arms Timothy La Sage announced Monday that Capitol Police were implementing “updated measures.” He gave few specifics, citing “operational integrity,” and did not specify whether the measures would be in place permanently.

This isn’t the first conversation about Wisconsin officials’ personal safety in recent years, a time when experts say heightened polarization has led to increased threats against politicians, judges and civil servants.

Two years ago, an armed man entered the state Capitol demanding to speak with Gov. Tony Evers. He was arrested and released, then returned and was arrested again. Evers at the time did not discuss security changes made afterwards, but said, “Anytime something like this happens, obviously they (Capitol police) reevaluate.”

Just days before the Minnesota shootings, the Legislature’s budget-writing committee considered a proposal to increase funding security for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. The request comes amid increased threats against federal judges in recent months, and as the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office has identified dozens of “credible, identified threats” against Wisconsin Supreme Court justices in the last three years — and dozens in just the first few months of this year.

The GOP-held Joint Finance Committee ultimately rejected Evers’ $1 million budget request, arguing the Capitol Police force protects justices, too.