Minnesota woman pleads guilty to threatening state House speaker
Rachel Marie Welsch pleaded guilty to threats of violence after voicemails referenced firearms, shooting classes and escalating political anger, prosecutors said.
- Rachel Marie Welsch pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of threats of violence against Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, admitting to leaving a series of escalating threatening voicemails.
- According to court records, Welsch left numerous messages between January and February calling Demuth a "traitor" and "racist," with later voicemails referencing firearms, marksmanship training, and the absence of bulletproof glass.
- The Minnesota State Patrol visited Welsch's home in early January after initial messages, but prosecutors said she continued leaving threats during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation supported by Minnesota Republicans.
- Under a plea agreement, Welsch faces five years of probation and up to 90 days in county jail, with sentencing scheduled for Sept. 10. Demuth thanked law enforcement for taking the threats seriously.
- Welsch's case follows Vance Boelter pleading guilty to murdering Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman in June 2025. United States Attorney Daniel Rosen stated, "Political violence is a scourge in our nation.
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Woman pleads guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth
A Hugo woman pleaded guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth after leaving escalating voicemails, including messages about learning how to shoot and finding Demuth on the campaign trail.
Hugo woman pleads guilty to threatening House Speaker Lisa Demuth
ST. CLOUD — A Hugo woman has pleaded guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth after leaving a series of voicemails that escalated from angry political messages to warnings that she was learning how to shoot and would find the Cold Spring Republican on the campaign trail. Rachel Welsch, 43, pleaded guilty Monday, July 6, in Washington County District Court to one felony count of threats of violence. Under a plea agreement, Welsch…
Minnesota woman pleads guilty to threatening House Speaker Lisa Demuth
Share This Story(The Center Square) – A Minnesota woman has pleaded guilty to threatening Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth after leaving a series of violent voicemails earlier this year. Rachel Marie Welsch, 43 and a resident of Washington County, pleaded guilty to one count of threats of violence. Under a plea agreement, she is expected to receive five years of probation and could face up to 90 days in county jail. Welsch is scheduled to be …
Hugo woman to be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to making threats against Minnesota lawmakers
The Minnesota State Patrol investigated the threatening messages, which authorities determined were politically motivated. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is facing criticism after posting on Truth Social a video of children at a graduation ceremony at Gateway STEM Academy in Minneapolis, including several girls wearing hijabs.
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