Idaho Town Hall Meeting Erupts into Chaos After Woman Is Forcefully Removed for Heckling Speakers

Idaho Town Hall Meeting Erupts into Chaos After Woman Is Forcefully Removed for Heckling Speakers

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A legislative town hall meeting hosted by Republicans in northern Idaho turned chaotic when three plainclothes security officers forcibly removed a woman who had been heckling the speakers.

The incident, which took place Saturday at Coeur d'Alene High School, gained significant attention after videos of the disruption were shared online. In response, over $120,000 has been raised for Teresa Borrenpohl’s legal defense, and the city's police chief has called for the revocation of the security firm's business license.

The city attorney's office also dismissed a misdemeanor battery charge against Borrenpohl "in the interest of justice," said Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White on Monday. Detectives are reviewing video footage to determine if the security officers broke any laws during the incident.

Approximately 450 people attended the town hall, organized by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, according to its chairman, Brent Regan. All attendees were informed that security officers would be present and that anyone causing disruptions would be removed.

However, videos from the event show the crowd was frequently loud and unruly, especially when one lawmaker mentioned legislation aimed at protecting doctors from being "forced to perform abortions." Some audience members shouted, “Women are dying” and “Doctors are leaving our state.” The moderator attempted to quiet the crowd, reprimanding those making “stupid remarks.”

At this point, Borrenpohl, a Democratic legislative candidate who had previously run unsuccessfully in the conservative region, began shouting, asking, “Is this a town hall, or a lecture?” Her comments were echoed by others in the audience. Borrenpohl had already been warned at least three times to stop interrupting the speakers, according to Regan.

“We’re trying to respect the 450 people who were there to listen,” Regan said. “One person can’t disrupt the entire event.”

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who was off-duty but wearing his badge, approached Borrenpohl and warned her to leave or be escorted out. As he stepped back, three unidentified men from the security team moved in and began to remove her.

Tonya Coppedge, who was sitting behind Borrenpohl and recorded the incident, stated that the men refused to identify themselves. One of the men allegedly twisted Borrenpohl's wrist, and later, Borrenpohl bit one of the security guards in the hand during the struggle. Coppedge described the encounter as "violent and traumatic."

Alicia Abbott, a friend of Borrenpohl’s, organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her legal expenses. She criticized the actions of the security personnel, questioning their authority and training. “Who were these people to detain Teresa in the first place?” Abbott asked. “This isn't the first time we've seen such forceful security at public meetings. Are these individuals properly trained to handle such situations?”

The men involved worked for LEAR Asset Management, a private security company based in Hayden, Idaho. Attempts to contact the company’s CEO, Paul Trouette, went unanswered. The security officers are suspected of violating Coeur d'Alene City ordinances, which mandate that security staff wear uniforms clearly marked with the word “Security” in letters at least 1 inch tall.

Police Chief White has requested the revocation of both the security company's business license and the individual agents' security licenses.

Extra security had been arranged for the event following threats against one of the lawmakers, Rep. Jordan Redman, a Republican. Regan explained that Redman had received social media threats involving bombings, prompting additional security measures, including Coeur d'Alene Police officers stationed outside.

On Monday, Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson announced that an independent investigation into the incident would be conducted by an outside agency.

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