A demonic idol erected by The Satanic Temple inside the Iowa State Capitol was destroyed on Thursday. Iowa State Police say 35-year-old Michael Cassidy, a Christian veteran, was arrested for the act.
Cassidy, a former congressional candidate, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. A $20,000 war chest for his legal defense was crowdfunded within a matter of hours.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa complained in a Facebook post that part of the display was “beyond repair”. Its centerpiece statue of the horned demon Baphomet clutching a pentagram wreath was decapitated.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, an ally of Ron DeSantis, has come under pressure to pardon Cassidy. It currently seems unlikely she will act, however, having described the Satanic idol in her state as “speech”.
“In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the Nativity scene that will be on display ― the true reason for the season,” she said.
🚨 Christian veteran BEHEADS and tears down the Satanic l Statue at the Iowa State Capitol pic.twitter.com/EVVxPGfFqa
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 14, 2023