Capitol Police sent an internal intelligence report three days before the deadly Capitol riot that warned of the potential for violence, reports The Washington Post.
“Due to the tense political environment after the 2020 elections, the threat of disturbing actions or violence cannot be ruled out,” says the 12-page report.
Rather than counter-protesters being the target of rioters, as in protests in previous presidential elections in DC, this time Capitol would probably be the target, the report warned.
“Supporters of the current president see January 6, 2021 as the last opportunity to overturn the results of the presidential election,” says one party.
“This feeling of despair and disappointment can lead to yet another incentive to become violent,” he continues.
The report, which does not appear to have been widely shared with other law enforcement agencies, noted that prominent leaders on the right would be speaking at the “Stop the Steal” rally, predicted by the Capitol Police as one of the biggest events that day, according to the post.
“This, combined with Stop the Steal’s propensity to attract white supremacists, militia members and others who actively promote violence, can lead to situations that are significantly dangerous for the police and the general public,” the report said.
Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned after the violent turmoil, expressed concern about insufficient security before 6 January.
“We analyzed intelligence,” he told the Post. “We knew we would have large crowds, the potential for some violent strife. I had nothing to indicate that we would have a large crowd taking Capitol.”
The Capitol Police would also have been alerted to the potential for targeted violence on Capitol Hill by several lawmakers, including Reps. Frederica Wilson
Frederica Patricia WilsonLawmakers alerted the police to a possible attack before the siege McMorris Rodgers floats by vacating the speaker’s chair because of the Democrats’ personal vote after COVID’s diagnosis Five House Democrats who could join the Biden Office MORE (D-Fla.) E Maxine Waters
Maxine Moore WatersLawmakers alerted the police to a possible attack before the siege Maxine Waters in an impeachment speech says Trump ‘is capable of starting a civil war’ Brown puts housing and eviction protection high on the bank panel agenda MORE (D-Calif.).
The uprising resulted in the deaths of five people, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.
As threats of violence continue as the inauguration approaches, the Capitol Police joined other agencies, including the Secret Service and the US Park Police, to request an increase in the National Guard’s presence in DC
Capitol Police did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.