STATE CAPITOL CLOSED UNTIL AFTER INAUGURATION

  

State officials say the Texas Capitol and the Capitol grounds will be closed through next Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution” amid the threat of armed protests by “violent extremists”.

The Department of Public Safety says they are “aware of armed protests planned at the Texas State Capitol this week and violent extremists who may seek to exploit constitutionally protected events to conduct criminal acts.”

DPS Director Steven McCraw says they have deployed additional personnel and resources to the Capitol and are working closely with the FBI and Austin Police to monitor events and enforce the law.

DPS is encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity they see on the internet or in public to the FBI, police or the DPS at iWatch Texas.

The 2021 Texas legislative session started on Tuesday.