In response to a growing wave of nationwide political threats, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is taking new steps to bolster the safety of state legislators.

Chief John Batiste announced that an existing intelligence post within the Washington State Fusion Center has been reassigned to focus more directly on protecting lawmakers, according to the Washington State Standard .

“One person at the Fusion Center has now been specifically assigned to track and monitor threats that may target legislators, whether they are in session or not,” Batiste explained.

The move follows a string of incidents, including the June 14 killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and an Oct. 5 break-in at the Washington State Capitol.

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