State Capitol closed until day after Presidential inauguration

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety announced late last week the closure of the Texas State Capitol “out of an abundance of caution” until Thursday of this week. The Capitol was closed from Saturday, Jan. 16 until Wednesday, Jan. 20. 

“The Texas Department of Public Safety is 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,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “As a result, DPS has deployed additional personnel and resources to the Capitol and are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Austin Police Department to monitor events and enforce the rule of law.”

Both the state House and Senate chambers are adjourned until Jan. 26.

During the week of the inauguration, people are encouraged to report any suspicious activity they see on the internet or in public to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Austin Police Department or DPS at www.iWatchtx.org.

At the swearing in earlier this month in Austin, lawmakers were not allowed to bring as many guests as in years past. The legislators sworn in several weeks ago won their seats in the 2020 elections with Republicans winning an 18-13 majority in the Senate.