Man Arrested After Apparently Threatening Wisconsin Governor

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is seen in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 19, 2020. (Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Images)

A man twice appeared to threaten Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers with firearms.

The shirtless man, whose name is not publicly known, went into the Badger State’s capitol in Madison on Oct. 5, first with a handgun, wanting to see the governor. He was taken into custody but, upon posting bail, returned that evening with a rifle outside the capitol as he again wanted to see Mr. Evers. He was again apprehended and hospitalized.

The Associated Press first reported the incidents, citing Wisconsin Department of Administration spokesperson Tatyana Warrick.

Openly carrying a firearm inside the Wisconsin state capitol is illegal.

“Capitol Police took control of the situation, and so it’s over,” Mr. Evers told reporters on Oct. 5. He would not say what security precautions would need to be taken.

“I never, ever talk about what my security detail does or what they’re planning on doing,” he said. “But anytime something like this happens, obviously they reevaluate.”

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The state capitol, which does not have metal detectors, is open to the public between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT.

Mr. Evers, a Democrat, was on a gunman’s hit list in 2022.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Mr. Evers’s office and Ms. Warrick for comment.

There have been notable threats against governors over the past few years.

In the trials of the 14 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, five, including plot leader Adam Fox, were convicted on state or federal charges. Four men pleaded guilty to state or federal charges. With these three men acquitted, the number of those found not guilty in the alleged plot is now five.

Mr. Fox is serving a 16-year federal prison sentence. Joseph Morrison was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in federal prison. Ty Garbin is serving a 30-month federal prison sentence.

Barry Croft is serving a federal prison sentence of 19 years and seven months. Kaleb Franks was sentenced to four years in federal prison. Pete Musico is serving 12 to 20 years in federal prison. Paul Bellar was sentenced to seven to 20 years in federal prison.

But the last three men to stand trial in the case related to the alleged kidnapping attempt were acquitted: Michael Null and his twin brother, William Null, and Eric Molitor.

The plot began amid Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat, coming under fire for heavily-restrictive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed disappointment but sought to put a positive spin on the verdicts.

“While today’s verdicts are not what we hoped for, the successes we have achieved throughout these cases, in both state and federal courts, sends a clear message that acts of domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in our state,” she said.

“We remain committed to combatting acts of domestic terrorism, and the proactive work on this joint action undoubtedly saved lives,” continued Ms. Nessel, who said in March that she was a target of an assassination plot. “I am grateful for the exemplary efforts of all involved at the local, state, and federal level.”