US officials face death threats over AI data center projects
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Local officials in Michigan, Iowa, and Utah have received death threats over AI data center projects. Marshall, Michigan, passed a one-year moratorium on new builds on August 3, and police later told council members of a credible death threat. Salix, Iowa, postponed its moratorium vote after threats, while Box Elder County, Utah, commissioners faced threats after approving a project.
Key Facts
- Marshall, Michigan, passed a one-year moratorium on new data center builds on August 3.
- Police told Marshall council members on August 12 about a credible death threat tied to the project.
- Salix, Iowa, postponed its moratorium vote after Facebook posts put its government "in the crosshairs."
- Box Elder County, Utah, Commissioner Lee Perry has police stationed outside his house after approving a project.
- More than 500 towns across the US have restricted data center builds.
Threats Against Officials
Marshall Mayor Scott Wolfersberger said the city's police department contacted him on August 12 about the threat and that the investigation is ongoing. Councilor James Hackworth wrote in a social media post that members had received "a legitimate death threat." It is unclear whether the sender supports or opposes data centers, and no suspect has been identified to date. Salix Mayor Kevin Nelson said the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office is investigating posts that called for "various death and terroristic type things" against the entire city government. Nelson said threats first came in May, after the town annexed 900 acres of farmland in April for a site Google is evaluating.
Moratorium Votes and Reactions
Salix council met a week late on August 20 and voted 3-2 against the moratorium. Councilman Gene Monk said, "We ask for a cool-down period for a year to research, then we can make an educated decision." Box Elder County Commissioner Lee Perry said he and fellow Commissioners Boyd Bingham and Tyler Vincent received threats after voting through two resolutions for the Stratos project area. An audience of roughly 500 chanted "shame" at the meeting.
Escalating Violence
In April, Indianapolis councilman Ron Gibson had 13 rounds fired into his home after backing a rezoning. Saline Township, Michigan, treasurer Jennifer Zink resigned in May citing threats over the 1.4GW Oracle and OpenAI campus. That project triggered moratoriums in at least 19 Michigan municipalities. Emporia, Kansas, moved its August 5 and August 19 commission meetings online and dropped public comment after its leaders were threatened.
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US officials face death threats over AI data center projects
