SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota DFL Party condemned violent threats issued by a Minnesota Republican Party BPOU (Basic Political Operating Unit) Chair on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol. Alley Waterbury, Chair of the House District 53A Republican Party, used violent rhetoric to both encourage protesters to visit the homes of judges and elected officials opposed to efforts to baselessly overturn the 2020 election and to spur on the rioters in Washington D.C.
In a speech earlier today, Waterbury said, in part:
“We are going to start raising hell. And these other judges that we’re coming for, we’re going to come for you in a way where we are gonna back you into a corner. We are going to bring your decision-making to the forefront because you’re not going to hide behind that bench anymore. You’re not going to make those decisions behind closed doors. You’re going to answer to we the people… It’ll be interesting to see how many of you show up to that house tour with us.”
Waterbury then turned to spurring on the numerous violent rioters currently clashing with police at the United States Capitol. In response to Vice President Pence’s decision not to interfere with the certification of results, Waterbury said that:
“…over one million patriots stormed, I think it was the White House grounds, I believe.Now you know why Trump wanted us there! I can’t express to you guys, you will be threatened, you will be scorned. My god you guys, we are going to fight, we are going to go down, there’s going to be casualties. I’ll be the first casualty, I do not care. We are not going to give up.”
DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement calling on Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan to apologize for Waterbury’s remarks and remove her from her leadership position within the party:
“The violence that engulfs the United States Capitol did not emerge out of nowhere. It was stoked, fueled, and encouraged by reckless and irresponsible rhetoric carelessly thrown around by leaders within the Republican Party. Enough is enough.
“By threatening elected officials and civil servants with casualties and organizing protests outside their homes, Alley Waterbury has crossed a dangerous line and must be immediately removed from her leadership position with the Minnesota Republican Party. I am also calling for Minnesota Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan to issue a full and immediate apology for Waterbury’s inciting language.
“Just as today’s violence did not emerge on its own, it will not be quelled on its own. It is past time for Republican leaders to accept responsibility for the radicalizing misinformation and violent sentiments tearing through their party, start telling their supporters the truth about the 2020 elections, and remove bad actors from within their ranks.”