The U.S. Capitol Police said Wednesday (March 3) that it has insight into an “identified militia group” that could pose a threat to members of Congress and the Capitol on the 4th.
A press release issued Wednesday by the Capitol Police said, “The U.S. Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared to respond to any potential threats to members of Congress or to the Capitol.” The release mentioned, “On Thursday, there was a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group.”
The press release added, “We have made significant security upgrades, including the creation of barriers and increased manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers.”
The Capitol Police Department did not elaborate on the nature of the 4th threat, nor did it provide additional details on the “identified militia group.”
The press release said, “Due to the sensitive nature of this information, we are unable to provide additional details at this Time.” But at the same time, the press release said they are taking the information they receive seriously and are working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence.
The FBI and Justice Department confirmed that some of the people arrested after storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 were members of militia groups.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said at a Senate hearing Tuesday (2) that more than 300 people have been arrested so far in connection with the Jan. 6 break-in at the Capitol. Wray also said the FBI is treating the incursion as a “domestic terrorist incident.
A few days ago, the Capitol Police Department tweeted that they had taken steps to increase security around the Capitol.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the presidential inauguration date was previously March 4, until the 20th Amendment was passed in 1933, moving the date to Jan. 20.
Acting House security officer Timothy Blodgett (R-Texas) sent a message to all members of Congress on Jan. 1 saying his office and the Capitol Police are monitoring information surrounding the 4th, which he said some describe as the “real inauguration day.
But Blodgett gave no indication that armed groups were planning to storm the Capitol on the 4th. He said at the time that there was “no indication” that any group was planning to travel to Washington, D.C., to protest or commit acts of violence.
At the same time, he said, groups are believed to have been downgrading the importance of March 4 in recent days.
“In addition, National Guard troops continue to be stationed at the Capitol to support the Capitol Police Department in maintaining a security posture. Members of Congress and congressional staff should present their congressional identification cards to any law enforcement or National Guard member at the entrance.” Blodgett’s notice reads.
Several Republican senators and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, recently complained about the barbed wire fence and National Guard presence around the Capitol, saying there is no need to leave these in place after Inauguration Day. Also, officials differ on how long the barriers and National Guard will remain in place, with some saying they will stick around until the fall.
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