- National Guard troops defending the Capitol were briefed on the potential for additional IED threats, the Politico said on Wednesday, citing members of the Guard.
- The briefings follow the discovery of explosives not just on Capitol Hill, but a few blocks away at the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committees last week.
- Improvised explosive devices are among the biggest threats to American troops fighting terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 2005 Pentagon report on the war in Iraq revealed that 70 percent of American casualties were caused by FDI.
- Up to 20,000 National Guard soldiers can be sent to DC in the coming days.
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National Guard troops defending the Capitol in the wake of last week’s attack by Trump supporters were briefed on the possibility of improvised explosive devices being used in subsequent attacks, Politico said on Wednesday, citing two members of the National guard.
Last Wednesday, federal police not only had to deal with a pro-Trump crowd attacking the Capitol, but also had to respond to two explosive devices discovered a few blocks away from the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committees.
The authorities are still looking for the person responsible.
The Associated Press reported on Monday that investigators remain concerned about the potential explosive threat to targets in Washington, DC.
During the violent riots on Capitol Hill, police in response to a suspicious package also discovered a truck with firearms and nearly a dozen Molotov cocktails that prosecutors characterized as “homemade napalm bombs” near the building, the AP reported. The truck owner was arrested.
Improvised explosive devices are among the biggest threats to American troops fighting terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 2005 Pentagon report on the war in Iraq revealed that 70 percent of American casualties were caused by FDI.
Politico reported that it is not clear whether Guard troops should respond to FDI threats. The briefings would have made some uncomfortable.
Preparing for the possibility of further protests and violence in the days surrounding the inauguration, the Army has authorized Guard personnel to carry firearms, including M-9 pistols and M-4 rifles. Wednesday’s photos showed Guard troops receiving weapons on Capitol Hill.
National Guard members walk through the US Capitol Visitor Center on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Stefani Reynolds photo / Getty Images
The Guard is also strengthening its presence in DC. Earlier this week, it was reported that some 15,000 Guard soldiers were allowed to move to the country’s capital. That number has since increased to 20,000.
A new FBI bulletin released on Monday warned of possible “armed protests” at the US Capitol and in all 50 state capitol areas before President-elect Joe Biden took office.
In a statement released on Wednesday about the possibility of future protests, President Donald Trump, who was impeached on Wednesday for his part in the siege of the Capitol last week, said that “there should be no violence or violation of the law nor vandalism of any kind “.
“This is not what I stand for and it is not what the United States stands for. I appeal to ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers,” said the president.