WA state patrol chief says agency will up protection efforts for lawmakers
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste says that in response to increased political threats against public officials nationwide, the agency has redirected an existing state intelligence post to focus more directly on protecting Washington’s legislators.
During an interview on TVW’s “Inside Olympia,” Batiste told host Austin Jenkins that a person at the Washington State Fusion Center has been tasked with monitoring potential threats “that could occur to legislative members in session or out of session.”
The change followed the June 14 killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Batiste said the state patrol is adapting its threat monitoring and intelligence coordination to keep pace with a more volatile political climate.
While no one was injured during an Oct. 5 break-in at the state Capitol in Olympia, Batiste said it underscored the importance of keeping people who serve the public safe.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/20/wa-state-patrol-chief-says-agency-will-up-protection-efforts-for-lawmakers/