A recent town hall meeting hosted by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, erupted into chaos when a woman was forcibly removed by security after heckling the speakers. The incident, which took place on Saturday, has sparked significant public interest and raised questions about the actions of the security personnel involved.
Approximately 450 attendees gathered at Coeur d’Alene High School for the event, where tensions flared during discussions of controversial legislation. The situation escalated when Teresa Borrenpohl, a Democratic legislative candidate, began shouting questions amid the crowd’s mixed reactions. Despite being warned multiple times to cease her interruptions, Borrenpohl persisted, prompting security to intervene.
Videos of the altercation circulated widely online, showing Borrenpohl being forcibly escorted out by three plainclothes security workers from LEAR Asset Management, a private security firm based in Hayden, Idaho. Witnesses described the removal as violent and traumatic, with Borrenpohl reportedly sustaining bruises during the encounter. The Coeur d’Alene Police Chief, Lee White, has since condemned the actions of the security team and called for the revocation of their business license, citing potential violations of city ordinances that mandate security personnel to wear identifying uniforms.
The incident has led to a significant outpouring of support for Borrenpohl, with over $120,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign to cover her legal expenses. The city attorney’s office dismissed a misdemeanor battery citation against her, stating it was done "in the interest of justice." As the police investigate the incident, they are reviewing video evidence to determine if the security officers acted unlawfully.
The town hall meeting was organized with heightened security measures due to recent threats against one of the lawmakers, Rep. Jordan Redman. This context has added another layer to the discussions surrounding the event, as community members question the appropriateness and training of the security personnel involved in the removal of Borrenpohl.
Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson has announced that an independent investigation into the incident will be conducted by an outside agency, further emphasizing the need for clarity and accountability in how public meetings are managed in the face of dissenting voices.