Patriot Brief
- What Happened: A satanic plaque displayed in the Minnesota State Capitol thanking Gov. Tim Walz resurfaced online and reignited backlash.
- Why It Matters: Critics argue Walz could have rejected the acknowledgment while supporters cite First Amendment protections.
- Bottom Line: The episode is fueling renewed debate over faith, speech, and leadership amid broader unrest in Minnesota.
A satanic plaque displayed inside the Minnesota State Capitol is back in the spotlight, and the reaction is as fierce as it was when the display first appeared last year.
The plaque thanks Gov. Tim Walz for “allowing the spread of Satanism” in the statehouse and declares that “Satan has a special place for you.” The video showing the display, recorded by state Rep. Pam Altendorf, began circulating again this week after being reposted on social media.
In the video, Altendorf reads the plaque aloud and reacts with disbelief. She said Walz could have declined the acknowledgment or ordered it removed but chose not to. The display was installed for roughly two weeks last April and quickly triggered outrage across the state.
At the time, Walz’s office said he disagreed with the message but would not police speech, citing First Amendment protections. Altendorf countered that allowing the plaque to remain amounted to passive endorsement. “Even if the group put it up, the governor could have said he did not want to be acknowledged for this,” she wrote.
The renewed controversy lands amid mounting chaos in Minnesota. Protests have erupted following ICE operations that resulted in the fatal shootings of two citizens. President Trump has since dispatched Border Czar Tom Homan and Border Patrol leadership to help stabilize the situation.
Faith based groups say the symbolism matters. Citizens Defending Freedom warned that celebrating satanic messaging inside government buildings reflects moral decay and called on believers to pray and engage civically. They cited James 4:7 and urged Christians to resist darkness and choose leaders who honor God.
For many Minnesotans, the plaque is no longer a one off incident. They see it as a symbol of a deeper spiritual and civic crisis unfolding in their state, one they believe leadership has failed to confront.