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By MICHAEL BALSAMO, ERIC TUCKER and LISA MASCARO
WASHINGTON – Far-right groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers plan to attend a rally later this month at the U.S. Capitol that aims to demand “justice” for the hundreds of people who have been indicted in the part of the January uprising, according to three people familiar with information gathered by federal officials.
As a result, U.S. Capitol Police have discussed in recent weeks the need to reinstall the large perimeter fence erected outside the Capitol after the January riot, people said.
Officials discussed security plans involving rebuilding the fence as well as another plan not involving a fence, residents said. They were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The planned Sept. 18 rally on Capitol Hill comes as Washington has experienced a series of disturbing one-off incidents – including, most recently, a man who parked a van near the Library of Congress and said he had a bomb and a detonator. . Among the events of most concern: A series of unexploded homemade bombs placed around the United States Capitol before the January 6 uprising remain unexplained and no suspects have been charged.
On Capitol Hill, the policy surrounding fencing in the iconic building and its grounds was extremely difficult for lawmakers after the Jan.6 uprising. Many said they didn’t like shutting down access, even though they recognized the increased level of security it offered.
The decision whether or not to erect the fence will likely be reviewed by the Capitol Police Council, according to a House aide familiar with the case and who has been granted anonymity to discuss it. No decision has been made. The council consists of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States House of Representatives, the Sergeant-at-Arms and Porter of the United States Senate, and the Architect of the Capitol.
The deadly riot overwhelmed police forces who were ill-prepared by intelligence failures and prompted internal reviews into why law enforcement was not better equipped. More than 100 police were injured and rioters caused more than $ 1 million in damage.
The expected presence of extremist groups is cause for concern because, although members and associates of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys represent only a fraction of the nearly 600 people who have been charged so far in the riot, they face some of the more serious charges. brought so far.
These charges include allegations that they conspired to block President Joe Biden’s certification of victory. Several Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and are cooperating with investigators in the case against their extremist colleagues, who officials say have come to Washington ready for violence and ready to do whatever it takes to stop the certification of the vote of the Electoral College.
As officials prepare for this month’s rally, Yogananda Pittman, the Capitol Police official who led intelligence operations for the agency when rioters descended on the building, has been put on charge. intelligence.
In a statement to the PA, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the department was “closely monitoring September 18 and we are planning accordingly.”
“After January 6, we made department-wide changes to the way we collect and share information internally and externally. I have no doubts that the work we are doing now will ensure our officers have what they need to keep everyone safe, ”Manger said.
Yet law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about the gathering and the potential for violence. The Metropolitan Police Department will activate its full force for that day and has put specialist riot officers on hold, law enforcement officials said.
But for federal officials, who planted the homemade bombs also remains a serious concern. Many leads of the investigation have turned out dry and investigators working on the case have not even been able to determine whether the suspect is male or female, people familiar with the case said.
The FBI released grainy surveillance footage of the person they claimed left the bombs and said the person was wearing a gray hoodie and face mask and had a Nike Air backpack and sneakers. Max Speed Turf distinct in yellow, black and gray.
The FBI had asked Nike for information about the shoes and sought to analyze the buyers’ information, according to law enforcement documents obtained by the Associated Press. Agents also looked at a trick where someone placed an ad on Facebook Marketplace with someone selling nearly identical shoes, the documents said.
The bombs – each about a foot long with end caps and wiring that appeared to be attached to a timer – contained components unique and specific enough that officers contacted companies like Walmart and other vendors and asked them to. ” review information on recent purchases. , according to the documents.
The explosive devices were placed in front of the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic National Committees between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5, the day before the riot. But they were not located by law enforcement until the next day, shortly before thousands of pro-Trump rioters burst into Capitol Hill.
It is not clear whether this means the homemade bombs were not linked to the riot the next day or were part of the planning for the riot. Both buildings are a few blocks from the Capitol.
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Associated Press editors Alanna Durkin Richer and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.
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