The FBI has issued a warning to law enforcement officers across the nation about possible “armed protests” that may occur ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration. According to a bulletin obtained by CNN, FBI officials believe that people are planning to protest at the U.S. Capitol as well as all of the other state capitals.
“On 8 January, the FBI received information on an identified group calling for others to join them in ‘storming’ state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event POTUS is removed as president prior to Inauguration Day,” the bulletin reads. “This identified group is also planning to ‘storm’ government offices including in the District of Columbia and in every state, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump, on 20 January.”
The bulletin implied there will be a potential “uprising” if Trump is impeached and noted the government agency is also keeping track of threats to harm Biden, Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In addition to the alert from the FBI, Capitol Police also informed House Democrats of three more potential attacks in the next few days. The first demonstration, Huffington Post reported, is being advertised as the “largest armed protest ever to take place on American soil.” The second protest will commemorate the life of Ashli Babbitt — the woman who was fatally shot by a Capitol cop during the riots. In the third event, Trump-supporting insurrectionists reportedly plan to surround the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court in an attempt to gain entry into the building as well as control of the government.
DC officials are taking preventative measures to avoid any further turmoil following the Capitol Hill riots. On Monday (Jan. 11), Mayor Muriel Bowser warned Americans to avoid the city while Biden is being sworn into office. Trump issued an emergency declaration that will allow the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure security. Over 6,000 National Guard members have also been mobilized.