The FBI has received information of planned ‘armed protests’ in all 50 states and Washington D.C., planned for this week and continuing through at least President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day.
The news comes with security measures being put in place ahead of Inauguration Day, with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies preparing for possible violent after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol and a violent riot left five people dead.
An FBI bulletin suggests the January 6 violence at the Capitol was just the beginning of the violent actions from Mr. Trump’s supporters, who have been fuming over unfounded claims by the President that the election was stolen.
“Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” the FBI bulletin says.
ABC News was the first to report the bulletin.
The memo also suggests violence if Mr. Trump is removed using the 25th Amendment before inauguration day.
“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. 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 adds.
The FBI is also zeroing in on reports of violence along with “various threats to harm President-Elect Biden ahead of the presidential inauguration,” the bulletin states. “Additional reports indicate threats against Vice President-Elect Harris and Speaker Pelosi.”
Monday saw Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives are pushing for Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would declare Trump incapable of performing his presidential duties. That would leave Mr. Pence as acting president until Biden is inaugurated on January 20.
