The USA Capitol Police is strengthening security this week, warning that intelligence has shown “a possible plot to violate the Capitol” by a militia group identified on Thursday, March 4. Previous intelligence has warned of “worrying” threats related to a far-right conspiracy theory that ex-President Donald Trump will retake power on March 4, the date that marked the day of the presidents’ inauguration before 1933.
“The United States Capitol Police Department (USCP) is aware of and prepared for any potential threats to members of Congress or the Capitol complex,” the USCP said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have already made significant improvements in security to include establishing a physical structure and increasing the workforce to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police.”
“We are taking intelligence seriously,” he added. “Due to the sensitive nature of this information, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”
In a previous security bulletin obtained by CBS News, Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett issued an orientation stating that his office is working closely with the USC) to monitor potential protests and demonstrations related to what some call “real day of inauguration” – however, the threat seemed to have lessened since the insurrection on January 6.
“The significance of this date has declined among several groups in the past few days,” Blodgett said in a statement on Tuesday. “At the moment, the USCP has no indication as to which groups are going to travel to Washington, DC to protest or commit acts of violence.”
As a precaution, and to ensure the safety and protection of members of Congress and their staff, there will be an intensified police presence throughout the Capitol.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
“In addition, the National Guard continues to maintain a presence on the Capitol grounds to support the USCP by maintaining an increased security posture,” added Blodgett. “We encourage all members and staff to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to local law enforcement authorities.”
Since the January 6 attack, during which protesters attacked the police and threatened members of Congress and former Vice President Mike Pence, federal prosecutors accused more than 300 people and arrested more than 280. A Justice Department official said this week that the department had opened files on about 540 subjects.
Several prominent followers of QAnon, a disproved and damaging online conspiracy theory, were arrested in connection with the riot, which left five dead, potentially thwarting any future efforts to restore Trump’s power.
FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers on Tuesday that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was “domestic terrorism” – a threat he said was “metastasizing” across the country.
Wray said threats of “racially motivated violent extremism” have skyrocketed in recent years and were responsible for the “most lethal” attacks of the past decade. He said the agency is investigating some 2,000 cases of active extremism and that the number of arrests by white supremacists has almost tripled in recent years.