Speaker Hortman: BCA finds no wrongdoing in Jan. 6 Minnesota rally

Law enforcement stand on the steps of the state capitol as people protest.
Minnesota state troopers stand on the steps of Minnesota State Capitol during a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Jan. 6.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News file

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman said Wednesday that a state investigation of a Jan. 6 “Storm the Capitol” rally outside the state Capitol has ended without any finding of wrongdoing.

The Minnesota demonstration by supporters of President Donald Trump, with six Republican state lawmakers in attendance, happened at the same time that insurrectionists were attacking the U.S. Capitol on Washington.

No violence took place in St. Paul, but some participants cheered at news of the events in Washington, and one speaker warned of a civil war. And Gov. Tim Walz later revealed that his teenage son had been evacuated from the governor's residence.

Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, announced Jan. 13 that the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was looking into the demonstration. The BCA had concluded that speech at the event didn't go beyond protected free speech, Hortman said.

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