Capitol police warn of “possible plot to violate the Capitol” by militia

United States Capitol Police steps up security this week, warning that intelligence services showed “a possible plot to violate the Capitol” by a militia identified on Thursday (March 4th). Trump will return to power on March 4, the date that marked the inauguration of presidents before 1933.

“The United States Capitol Police Department (USCP) is aware of and prepared for any potential threats to members of Congress or the Capitol complex,” USCP said in a statement Wednesday. “We have already made significant security enhancements to include establishing a physical structure and increasing staffing to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police.”

“We take the information seriously,” he added. “Due to the sensitive nature of this information, we cannot provide additional details at this time.”

In a previous security bulletin obtained by CBS News, Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett issued guidelines that his office is working closely with USC) to monitor potential protests and protests related to what some have called the “real opening day” – however, the threat seemed to diminish since. insurrection January 6th.

“The significance of this date has reportedly waned among various groups in recent days,” Blodgett said in a statement Tuesday. “At this time, the USCP has no indication that groups will travel to Washington, DC to protest or commit acts of violence.”

As a precautionary measure, and to ensure the safety and security of members of Congress and their staff, there will be an increased police presence throughout Capitol grounds.

In addition, the National Guard continues to maintain a presence on the Capitol grounds to help the USCP maintain a heightened security position, ”added Blodgett. “We encourage all members and staff to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement authorities.”

Since the January 6 attack, in which rioters attacked police and threatened members of Congress and former Vice President Mike Pence, federal prosecutors have charged more than 300 people and arrested more than 280. A justice ministry official said this week that the ministry has opened files on around 540 subjects.

Several prominent followers of QAnon, a debunked and harmful online conspiracy theory, have been arrested in connection with the riot, which left five people dead, which could thwart future efforts to restore Mr. Trump to power.

FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers Tuesday that the Jan.6 attack on Capitol Hill was “domestic terrorism” – a threat he said was “metastasizing” across the country.

Wray said threats of “racially motivated violent extremism” have skyrocketed in recent years and have been responsible for the “deadliest” attacks in the past decade. He said the office was pursuing around 2,000 cases of active extremism and that the number of arrests of white supremacists had nearly tripled in recent years.