AUSTIN, Texas _ The Texas Department of Public Safety has placed state Rep. Tony Tinderholt under state protection after the Arlington Republican received a number of death threats over his bill to abolish abortion in Texas.
Luke Macias, Tinderholt's political consultant, said there is an ongoing investigation into multiple death threats Tinderholt and his family have received, which was first reported by the Texas Tribune. He said the Arlington Police Department and the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office have also been involved.
"All involved have done an incredible job protecting his family during this stressful time," Macias said in a prepared statement.
Tinderholt started receiving threats after Jan. 11, when he filed a bill to criminalize abortion: the Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act. If the bill were to become law, women who have abortions and abortion providers could be charged with murder.
Abortion rights advocates say the bill violates a woman's right to have an abortion.
"This cruel bill is the most extreme measure we've seen at the Texas Legislature," Heather Busby, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, said in a prepared statement this month. "It takes away a pregnant person's legal rights and could open up to investigation and prosecution of anyone who has a miscarriage or who seeks an abortion."
