WASHINGTON DC — The FBI and Homeland Security are warning about threats of another possible attack like the one we saw on Jan 6.
The Georgia National Guard says 156 Georgians are still in DC protecting the Capitol. Fences and roadblocks are still in place since Inauguration Day.
Many hearings have been canceled for Thursday as law enforcement brace for a possible attack.
We’re monitoring events in Washington DC and the local connections here in Georgia throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News
Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol.
The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory, mainly promoted by supporters of QAnon, that Trump will rise again to power on March 4. That was the original presidential inauguration day until 1933, when it was moved to Jan. 20.
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The announcement comes as the Capitol police and other law enforcement agencies are taking heat from Congress in contentious hearings this week on their handling of the Jan. 6 riot. Police were ill-prepared for the mass of Trump supporters in tactical gear, some armed, and it took hours for National Guard reinforcements to come. By then, rioters had broken and smashed their way into the building and roamed the halls for hours, stalling Congress’ certification effort temporarily and sending lawmakers into hiding.
“The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex,” the agency said in a statement. “We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.” Police did not identify the militia group in the statement.
[Photos: Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol]
The U.S. House was abruptly wrapping its work for the week Wednesday night given the threat of violence.
An advisory sent earlier this week to members of Congress by Timothy Blodgett, the acting House sergeant-at-arms, said that the Capitol Police had “no indication that groups will travel to Washington D.C. to protest or commit acts of violence.”
But that advisory was updated in a note to lawmakers Wednesday morning. Blodgett wrote that the Capitol Police had received “new and concerning information and intelligence indicating additional interest in the Capitol for the dates of March 4th – 6th by a militia group.”
Several people from Georgia have been arrested and charged in the violence.
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