Christian Destroys Satanic Idol In Iowa Capitol, Donors Fund Legal Defense
A devout Christian Navy veteran is receiving praise and criticism for beheading a Satanic idol statue put up in the Iowa capitol building last week by the Satanic Temple of Iowa, and several prominent conservative figures have already funded his legal defense.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa was allowed to put up the display after obtaining permission from the state, placing it near displays of the Nativity on the first floor of the Iowa Capitol building. The display included the idol Baphomet holding a pentacle surrounded by candles.
While the far-left is united in outrage over 35-year-old Michael Cassidy’s decision to behead the Baphomet statue, conservatives are divided over the move. Most agree that the Satanic idol was “blasphemous” and should never have been displayed in the first place, though some disagree with his actions — deeming it vandalism and arguing that he played right into the left’s hands by giving the “exact response the left was hoping for.”
Nonetheless, conservatives have already begun funding Cassidy’s legal defense, with Turning Point USA pledging $10,000.
Cassidy, a former Navy pilot and former Mississippi congressional candidate who currently works as a flight instructor, turned himself in to the Iowa State Police peacefully after destroying the statue and was ultimately charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
The Navy veteran spoke with The Republic Sentinel about his decision to destroy the Satanic idol.
“I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged,” Cassidy told the outlet. “My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”
“The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment,” he added. “Anti-Christian values have steadily been mainstreamed more and more in recent decades, and Christians have largely acted like the proverbial frog in the boiling pot of water.”
Following his arrest, Cassidy shared a Bible verse in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter.
“1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” he wrote on Thursday evening.
The Republic Sentinel has started a GiveSendGo campaign for Cassidy, as he is likely facing legal action from the Satanic Temple alongside his criminal charges. The campaign asked for $20,000 for the veteran’s legal defense, which was raised in less than three hours. As of Friday evening, the GiveSend Go campaign had already raised nearly $43,000, most of which appeared to be from small donors.
After announcing that Turning Point USA had pledged $10,000 to the fund, the organization’s CEO Charlie Kirk declared: “We stand with Satan Slayer, @VoteCassidy.”
Daily Wire host Matt Walsh also reportedly donated $1,000 to the fund.
Commentator Rogan O’Handley, known on X as “DC Draino,” also donated $300 to Cassidy’s legal defense.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is also running for president, declared on X that he would also help Cassidy.
“Satan has no place in our society and should not be recognized as a ‘religion’ by the federal government. I’ll chip in to contribute to this veteran’s legal defense fund. Good prevails over evil — that’s the American spirit,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves has declared the incident a “Hate Crime” and called Cassidy a “coward.”
The Satanic Temple of Iowa has also vowed to file a lawsuit against Cassidy for his actions, releasing a statement that read: “This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. … [J]ustice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means. Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!”
