Feds Say Mystery ‘Threat Actors’ May ‘Promote or Commit Violence’ on Capitol Riot Anniversary
Angry Trump supporters burst into the seat of US legislative power on 6 January 2021 in an attempt to disrupt a Congressional proceeding to rubber stamp Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. Hundreds of protesters have since been prosecuted over the unrest, with the Biden administration labeling them “domestic terrorists.”
Federal authorities issued an ambiguous warning to state and local officials earlier this week warning them to be on the lookout for “threat actors” who may commit violence ahead of or during the anniversary of the 6 January 2021 riot, CNN reports, citing an intelligence assessment put out by the feds.
“We assess that threat actors will try to exploit the upcoming anniversary of the 6 January 2021 breach of the US Capitol to promote or possibly commit violence,” the assessment, written jointly by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, US Capitol Police and other law enforcement, states.
The nebulous warning does not provide any information about specific possible threats, apart from the danger of ‘lone offenders.’
The assessment claims China, Russia and Iran have sought to ‘amplify’ media content regarding the Capitol breach to spread “conspiracy theories” about election fraud in the 2020 election, singling out ‘some Russian news media outlets’ efforts, without elaborating.
“What’s not surprising is that domestic extremists are still fixated on the January 6thevents. However, what should give us pause is how nation-state adversaries will use these types of events to create anxiety and fear amongst the American public. Misinformation continues to be a ‘go-to’ tactic to rile up society,” former DHS deputy chief Brian Harrell told the news agency.
DHS security warnings have long been the stuff of legends, with the widespread use of its colour-coded terror alert system after 9/11 made the butt of endless jokes on late night comedy shows over their vagueness and ineffectiveness.
https://sputniknews.com/20220101/feds-says-mystery-threat-actors-may-promote-or-commit-violence-on-capitol-riot-anniversarypost-1091964674.html