Fact Check: Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri Expressed Gratitude to Law Enforcement for Arrest Related to Threats Against Lawmakers
What We Know
On October 7, 2023, a credible threat was made against Texas lawmakers attending an anti-Trump protest in Austin, leading to the temporary closure of the Texas State Capitol grounds. Law enforcement arrested an individual in connection with this threat, which was reportedly inspired by a recent violent incident involving lawmakers in Minnesota (source-2). The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) had issued warnings to lawmakers about the potential for copycat attacks following the Minnesota shootings (source-4).
Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who was present at the protest, expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action in addressing the threat (source-4). This statement aligns with the broader context of heightened concerns for the safety of public officials following violent incidents.
Analysis
The claim that Council Member Zo Qadri expressed gratitude to law enforcement is supported by multiple sources. The Texas Tribune reported on Qadri's comments, confirming that he acknowledged law enforcement's efforts in making the arrest related to the credible threats against lawmakers (source-4). Furthermore, the New York Times also covered the incident and the subsequent arrest, providing context for the threats and the law enforcement response (source-2).
Both sources are reputable, with the Texas Tribune being a well-regarded local news outlet and the New York Times known for its national and international reporting. However, while the sources confirm the arrest and the context of the threats, they do not provide a direct quote from Qadri expressing gratitude, which would strengthen the claim further.
Conclusion
Needs Research. While there is substantial evidence that a credible threat was made against Texas lawmakers and that law enforcement acted on it, the specific claim regarding Council Member Zo Qadri's expression of gratitude requires further verification. Direct quotes or more detailed reports from reliable sources would help confirm the authenticity of his statements.
Sources
- About Council Member Zohaib Zo Qadri | AustinTexas.gov. Link
- Arrest Made After 'Credible Threat' to Texas Lawmakers. Link
- Texas DPS makes arrest after warning state lawmakers of “credible threats” tied to Capitol protest. Link
- Texas makes arrest after warning state lawmakers of 'credible threats' tied to Capitol protest. Link
