Capitol Notebook: Satanic Temple display at Iowa State Capitol vandalized

The Satanic Temple Iowa’s display at Iowa Capitol — which has sparked outrage, debate and prayer over the boundaries of free speech — was vandalized Thursday.

The display features a statue of Baphomet, a goat-headed figure often used to represent Satan. The display also features seven tenets upheld by the Satanic Temple. The display is set to remain up until Saturday, according to a calendar maintained by the Department of Administrative Services.

Photos posted to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, show the head of the statue ripped off and broken in pieces on the floor.

@LucienGreaves Today, at the Iowa Capitol, someone vandalized our Holiday display and attempted to throw Baphomet the into trash. The statue was beyond repair, but the altar still stands. pic.twitter.com/kpDmdEhUaN

— XXV α (@TwentyFiveAlpha) December 14, 2023

A spokesperson from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said the Iowa State Patrol was dispatched to the Iowa Capitol on Thursday morning for a report of vandalism to the display.

Michael Cassidy, 35, of Lauderdale, Miss., was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief following an investigation and consultation with the Polk County Attorney’s Office, according to Iowa DPS.

No other details regarding the incident were available.

The Satanic Temple Iowa did not immediately respond to a message Thursday afternoon seeking comment, but posted a statement on Facebook.

“This morning we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair,” the statement reads. “We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have allotted. We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means.”

Images of the Satanic Temple display circulated on social media last week and sparked calls for the state to remove it, including from at least one Republican state lawmaker. Others argued the display is religious expression protected by the First Amendment.

In a statement Tuesday, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said she disagrees with the display, but implored opponents to engage in speech and prayer, rather than remove the display.

Iowa AG leads letter urging feds to allow oil pipeline to continue operating

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Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird is leading a 26-state coalition in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, urging it to allow the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline to continue operating.

Bird, in a statement, said the pipeline supports thousands of jobs and generates property tax revenue that supports essential services, including schools, hospitals and emergency response.

“Dakota Access drives our state forward,” Bird said. “Its continuing operation will protect farmers, generate tax revenue for states and mitigate risk of oil spills. It’s safe and reliable with a track record of success. We urge the Army Corps of Engineers to protect States’ interests and allow for the Dakota Access’s continued operation.”

Federal officials in September released a draft environmental review with five options for the future of the line’s controversial river crossing in North Dakota — proposals which include removing the pipeline; abandoning it; granting the easement as is; granting the easement with additional conditions; or constructing a new segment north of Bismarck. The agency has not yet weighed in on which alternative it prefers.

Bird’s letter opposes the Corps' proposed alternatives, including digging up or building more than 100 miles of pipeline, which Bird argues will cause significant financial losses and harm to the states and present unnecessary challenges for farmers.

The Dakota Access Pipeline transfers Bakken crude oil from North Dakota over 1,100 miles to a terminal in Illinois. A 1-mile section runs under Lake Oahe, the source of the tribe’s drinking water, a mile north of the Standing Rock reservation.

The tribe is concerned a pipeline oil spill could contaminate its water supply, calling for the review and a pipeline shutdown.

In 2020, a federal judge revoked the permit for an easement under Lake Oahe and ordered the agency to prepare an environmental impact analysis.

The environmental review is key for whether the federal government reissues the river crossing permit.

"The proposed alternatives will create a cargo crisis by taking Dakota Access oil and redirecting it to trucks and rail,“ Bird said. ”One estimate is that it would require hundred car-long trains and 15,000 trucks operating around the clock to get the oil where it needs to be.

“Those trains and trucks could be transporting agriculture or other goods — and currently are. The shortage will hurt farmers bringing their goods to market and raise food prices.“

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau