FBI warned of potential extremist violence at January 17 rally



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The information was taken from an FBI situation report titled: “Potential for Violence and Planned Actions to Counter Law Enforcement Security Measures as of January 17, 2021 First Amendment Protected from Events by several supporters of an anti-government militant movement.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is not known if the FBI information is still current or if such a rally will materialize. POLITICO previously reported that the Boogaloo Bois, an anti-government militia, told its members that a rally scheduled for January 17 in Washington had been called off. But the group also advised anyone still planning to attend to comply with local firearms regulations: “If you can legally wear, you can wear.”

Citing a separate FBI report from Jan. 11, the bulletin also warned that closed trailers were seen at mass rallies, a tactic that could be used to contain additional weapons and supplies.

The bulletin detailed other observations from federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country indicating potential for violence from far-right armed groups protesting against the results of the 2020 presidential election. It quotes reporting on suspicious activity related to the Jan.6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, as well as internal communications about potential future attacks between state and federal law enforcement, including the FBI , the Department of Homeland Security. , the National Crisis Coordination Center and the National Counterterrorism Center.

Law enforcement officials expressed surprise at the level of organization and apparent training of the January 6 insurgents, while Democratic lawmakers speculated that the rioters could have had help from the Capitol.

National security leaders across the country, meanwhile, ordered an unprecedented show of force this week ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20. DC and state capitals in anticipation of potential violence.

The FBI said Thursday it had already made more than 100 arrests in connection with the Jan.6 attack on the Capitol and that law enforcement was monitoring “a lot of worrying online discussions” before it ‘inauguration.

The office also warned in an internal bulletin last week of plans for armed protests in all 50 state capitals and Washington in the days leading up to the inauguration. Investigators believe that some people belong to extremist groups.

In Washington, the number of guards will increase to 21,000 on inauguration day, Army General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard bureau, told Vice President Mike Pence in a briefing on Thursday. security for the inauguration. The security guards at the Capitol carry deadly weapons and have been informed of specific IED threats.

The Secret Service, the agency leading security efforts at the inauguration, on Thursday announced plans to establish a “green zone” in downtown Washington this weekend, shutting off traffic and stations metro. Most streets around the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol will be closed from Saturday morning until the day after the opening.

In addition, customs and border protection have announced that they are planning to deploy planes to the capital for surveillance.

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