A Republican-led town hall in Coeur d’Alene turned chaotic after plainclothes security officers forcibly removed a woman from the event, prompting legal action and scrutiny of the security firm involved.
The incident occurred Saturday at Coeur d’Alene High School during a legislative town hall hosted by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC). Videos of the altercation circulated widely online, leading to public outrage and raising over $120,000 for the legal costs of Teresa Borrenpohl, the woman removed from the meeting. In response, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White announced the revocation request of the security company’s business license and the dismissal of a misdemeanor battery citation against Borrenpohl.

The town hall, attended by roughly 450 people, featured heated exchanges between audience members and speakers, particularly when a lawmaker discussed legislation protecting doctors from being “forced to do abortions.” The discussion sparked outbursts from attendees, with some shouting, “Women are dying,” and, “And doctors are leaving our state!” A moderator attempted to calm the crowd, warning against “popping off with stupid remarks.”
Borrenpohl, a Democratic legislative candidate, questioned the structure of the event, shouting, “Is this a town hall, or a lecture?” KCRCC chairman Brent Regan stated that she had been warned multiple times before security intervened. “We’re trying to respect the rights of the 450 people that were there to listen. One person can’t stand up to bring a halt to the whole event,” Regan said.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who was attending in plain clothes but wearing his badge, approached Borrenpohl and warned her to leave or be escorted out. He then stepped back and began recording as three plainclothes security officers from LEAR Asset Management forcibly removed her. Witnesses described the removal as aggressive, with one onlooker, Tonya Coppedge, saying, “They were not very kind to her — it was pretty violent and traumatic.”
Borrenpohl resisted the removal, at one point biting one of the security guards. Coppedge, who filmed the incident, said the men refused multiple requests to identify themselves. The city’s ordinance requires security officers to wear uniforms clearly marked with “Security,” which the men reportedly did not.
Alicia Abbott, a friend of Borrenpohl’s, raised concerns over the security firm’s actions, questioning their authority. “Who were these people to detain Teresa in the first place?” she asked. “If they’re going to be detaining people, do they even have knowledge of the law? Are they trained to safely remove people?”
The police department is now reviewing the incident, and White confirmed that he had requested the revocation of LEAR Asset Management’s business and security licenses for those involved. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office also announced an independent investigation into the matter.
Regan explained that additional security was arranged due to recent threats against one of the attending lawmakers. Rep. Jordan Redman had reportedly been the target of bomb threats, prompting the involvement of law enforcement and private security at the event.
Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson assured that the agency would conduct a “complete and independent investigation of the incident” through an external body.