Fear in Congress after warnings of a possible new attack – VG

The congressional police force itself notes that right-wing extremists have issued “credible threats of a violent attack carried out by one or more militant groups on March 4.”

Just two months ago, five people lost their lives when angry Trump supporters stormed the convention building. Several of the politicians inside They have later said that they feared for their own lives.

The congressional police warning is supported by an intelligence note from the FBI and the US Department of Security, writes CBS.

As recently as February, an unidentified militia group of violent extremists discussed taking control of the Congress building and removing Democratic elected officials on or around March 4, and discussed other plans to persuade thousands to travel to Washington DC to attend. the channel has been given access.

Melissa Smislova, who is in charge of intelligence and analysis at the US Department of Security, confirmed on Wednesday that they are behind the warning along with the FBI.

Former US President Donald Trump was indicted after the assault on Congress on January 6, but was ultimately acquitted. He was accused of inciting riots, and was also accused of laying the foundations for what happened to his followers with false accusations of electoral fraud.

The recent warning from the FBI and the US Department of Security states that “perceptions of voter fraud and other conspiracy theories associated with the presidential transition” can contribute to violent behavior.

Conspiracy theory on March 4

A conspiracy theory of March 4 – that is, Thursday’s date – is critical to explaining why security officials are now targeting this very day. According to the Washington Post, conspiracy theorists supporting the much-disputed QAnon theory believe that Donald Trump will return to power on this same date.

March 4 was the inauguration day of US presidents before the 20th constitutional amendment was passed in 1933, writes CNN, and QAnon supporters refer to the date as “inauguration day of actual possession “.

Read more about QAnon on VG +: The conspiracy theory that attracts women

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas told CNN that he believes Trump has a duty to reject the possible plans of his supporters.

– I think President Trump has a responsibility to make them retire. This threat is credible, it is real.

It is unclear how real the threats are, writes CNN.

However, the warnings have created fear among several elected representatives who were present when the building was stormed on January 6. According to Politico, House Leader Nancy Pelosi has decided that elected representatives will not meet as scheduled on Thursday.

– I just received an email from congressional security officials about “disturbing new information” about possible militant actions against the congressional building tomorrow. Now we are in a rush to finish our work tonight under threat from QAnon. It’s crazy, writes the Democratic congressman Andy Kim on Twitter from evening to Thursday Norwegian time, and add:

– This seems absurd, it wouldn’t have been so scary, especially after what happened two months ago.

Before congressional representatives filed their cases Wednesday night, they voted to pass legislation that would make voting easier in American elections. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Democrat Eric Swalwell, who was one of the accusers against Donald Trump in the Supreme Court case, tells MSNBC that it is difficult to do your job when you are concerned for your own safety.

– I am angry that you have colleagues who have sided with some of these groups, who have passed on the lies that these groups have told about the elections and who have done nothing to calm or condemn these groups, he says.

Police: security has been tightened

The Senate has so far said that they will meet as usual on Thursday, writes the Washington Post. Senator Richard Durbin, who heads the Justice Committee, told the newspaper that he believes the FBI or the Justice Department would give elected officials a security briefing if they thought the situation was serious enough. They haven’t yet.

– I don’t know if it’s fake. On January 6, we were told that on January 20 a new crowd would return and they did not come. I can’t predict that. But in light of what we went through on January 6, people are understandably concerned, Democratic Senator Richard Durbin tells the newspaper.

Michael McCaul in the House of Representatives says he believes Congress is more prepared now than before the January 6 attack.

– Congress is protected like a fortress. We have barbed wire around the complex, we have the National Guard surrounding the building, so we feel a lot safer, he tells CNN.

Yogananda Pittman, who is Acting Police Chief in Congress, confirms to CBS that security has been tightened.

– We have taken steps so that the National Guard and our employees know what to expect that day, he says.