"Navy Vet's Christian Civil Disobedience: Defending Beheaded Satanic Statue at Iowa Capitol"

A Navy reserve pilot instructor from Mississippi, Michael Cassidy, admitted to beheading a statue of the satanic Baphomet inside the Iowa State Capitol, claiming it was an act of "Christian civil disobedience." Cassidy wrecked the statue and then reported himself to Capitol security. He was charged with criminal mischief and released. Conservative figures, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and commentator Matt Walsh, rallied to Cassidy's defense. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds called the statue "absolutely objectionable" but advocated for more speech and prayer as a response. Cassidy's attorney argued that Satanism is not recognized as a religion under the Constitution, and anti-blasphemy laws still exist in the United States.