Capitol Police intelligence report ahead of January 6 riot warned ‘Congress itself’ could be targeted: report



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An internal Capitol Police intelligence report released three days before the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 said “Congress itself” could be targeted by protesters gathered in Washington, DC on that day. there, according to a report.

The 12-page intelligence memo, parts of which were obtained by The Washington Post, said the rioters’ potential targets were “not necessarily the counter-protesters as they previously were, but rather Congress itself. even.”

The House and Senate had met in a joint session that day to certify the Electoral College’s votes that were taken on December 14, but Congress was delayed for hours after rioters broke in in the building.

“Supporters of the current president see January 6, 2021 as the last opportunity to overturn the results of the presidential election,” the report continued, adding: “This sense of hopelessness and disappointment may lead to greater incentive to become violent. ”

Rioters and police clash outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2021 (Getty Images)

Rioters and police clash outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2021 (Getty Images)

RESPONSE AND PREPARATION OF DOJ TO CAPITOL RIOT TO BE EXAMINED BY IG

The report said that combined with the likelihood that the “Stop the Steal” rally would attract “white supremacists, militia members and others who actively promote violence,” it could lead to “very dangerous situations for them. law enforcement and the general public “.

The Capitol Police assessment had not been widely shared, including with the FBI or other law enforcement agencies, the Post reported.

The Justice Department’s internal watchdog on Friday said it would investigate how the department and its law enforcement agencies prepared and responded at headquarters.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz said the office review “will examine the role and activity of the Department of Justice and its components in preparing for and responding to events.”

FOLLOWING THE REGISTRATION OF CAPITOL, THE FEDERATION WARNS THAT VIOLENT EXTREMISTS POSE THE SUSCEPTIBLE OF “ GREATER THREATS OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM ”

“The OIG’s review of the DOJ will include a review of information relating to the events of January 6 that was available to the DOJ and its components prior to January 6; the extent to which this information has been shared by the DOJ and its components with the United States Capitol Police and other federal authorities. , state and local agencies, and the role of DOJ personnel in responding to the events at the United States Capitol on January 6, ”said Horowitz.

The review is one of multiple investigations launched by inspectors general, including investigations into the departments of homeland security and defense and the interior department, which oversees park police.

In a statement provided to Fox News, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said “the American people deserve transparency” on the events of January 6.

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Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned after the attack, previously told the Post that he had “no indication that we were going to have a large crowd take over the Capitol” in advance.

Capitol Police did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment after normal business hours.

Fox News’ Jake Gibson and Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report.

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