The DFL House Caucus plans to host an official fundraising event this week with John Thompson, Alpha News has learned.
Thompson was at the center of a viral video captured by Alpha News last month in which he screamed profanities at a group of young girls and threatened to burn down a neighborhood. At one point he told a man holding a blue lives matter sign to “take that sign” and “stick it in your ass.”
“We coming for everything that you motherf–ers took from us,” he added. “This whole [vulgarity] state burned down for 20 [vulgarity] dollars. You think we give a f– about burning Hugo down?”
Thompson is scheduled to participate in a Tuesday event with House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, and Majority Whip Liz Olson. The virtual “Meet the New Majority” event will feature 12 DFL candidates, including Thompson, who are running in solidly blue districts.
In a second video captured in August, Thompson was seen beating an effigy of a female reporter while standing outside her home.
Following the incident, Gov. Tim Walz issued a generic statement condemning “threatening behavior and rhetoric,” but his office didn’t respond to questions about whether he stands by his endorsement of Thompson.
Authorities in Washington County called Thompson’s behavior “grossly inappropriate,” but not in violation of any felony statute.
Alpha News recently discovered that Thompson was previously charged with domestic assault and making terroristic threats, but never convicted.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
