FBI and New York Police Department (NYPD) officials alerted the U.S. Capitol Police to the risk of violence at the Capitol on January 6 amid planned protests against certification of Electoral College results. NBC News reported Domigo.
Law enforcement agencies reportedly passed on information indicating that the protests could bring violence before protesters invaded the Capitol last week, leading to the death of one Capitol police officer and four others, including a rowdy shot and killed by a Capitol police officer .
The NBC News report came after several police officers said there was no indication that the protests would lead to violence or that the Capitol would be violated.
A senior FBI official told the network that before last week, the “FBI obtained reliable and actionable information” about more than a dozen people “who were planning to travel to the protests and expressed a desire to be involved in the violence”.
The official said the agency was “able to discourage these individuals” from going to Washington, which they said could have prevented more violent disturbances on Wednesday.
“The FBI and our federal, state and local partners collected and shared the intelligence available in preparation for the various planned events,” the official told NBC News. “The FBI was prepared to adapt as needed for fluid events in the field, including rapid response teams on the reservation.”
The FBI official said that the protests had been “peaceful and without confrontation” for most of the day, but that “when it became clear that some individuals were breaking into the Capitol grounds and entering the buildings, the US Capitol Police asked for help. “.
“Within 50 minutes of this request, three FBI tactical teams were in place to gain control of the area and provide protection for members and officials of Congress,” said the senior official. “Over the course of the night, the FBI’s presence grew to over 150 agents and other employees.”
The comments from the senior FBI officer came after Steven D’Antuono, who heads the FBI’s Field Office in Washington, said: “There was no indication that there was anything [planned] beyond the activity protected by the First Amendment ”. The official told NBC News that they were in no position to explain why D’Antuono made that statement.
The NYPD also allegedly sent law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police, intelligence covering threats of social media violence before the January 6 protests, several police officers told the network.
These officials added that the Capitol Police also received another more specific intelligence report, detailing the threats and extremist rhetoric on social media. Officials familiar with the intelligence packages said President Trump
Donald Trump Kim said that North Korean efforts will focus on bringing the US to its knees Pelosi urges Democrats to prepare to return to DC this week amid impeachment accusations Ken Klippenstein: ‘Ideological’ blind spot prevented police from respond urgently to the riots at Capitol MOREThe protesters’ encouragement to go to Capitol probably brought a larger crowd to Capitol.
The FBI, NYPD and Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the NBC News report.
NBC News also reported that a private intelligence report published in December said that “the ‘million-MAGA march’ in Washington DC on January 6 is the next big flashpoint … the mass event (which will be held on the National Mall and outside the Capitol) is likely to unleash street violence, some of which can be lethal, between supporters of Antifa and Trump or far-right groups. “
The Capitol Police had assistance refused the National Guard three days before the protest and the FBI when the rebels arrived at the Capitol last week, The Associated Press reported in the aftermath.
The day before the riots, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Muriel BowserSunday previews: Riots stir Washington as demands for Trump’s removal grow. Terrorism is a tactic – not a color or ideology. The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump finally admits; The pressure of amendment 25 grows MORE (D) told Justice and Pentagon officials that the DC police would not seek assistance from federal authorities.
But the Capitol Police were clearly overwhelmed after the protesters arrived at the Capitol, forced the building’s entrance and vandalized the offices.
Lawmakers on both sides of the corridor sharply criticized the police response to the riots, prompting Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund and weapons sergeant Paul Irving to step down last week and a Senate majority leader. Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSirota ponders what Democrats are likely to do with the Senate majority (R-Ky.) To remove weapons sergeant Michael Stenger from the Senate.