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Government agencies warn that President-elect Trump’s inauguration may attract violent extremists, especially those harboring “election-related grievances,” according to a new report.
While no specific credible threats have been identified, agencies including the FBI, Secret Service and Capitol Police wrote a threat assessment stating that extremists may view the inauguration as “their last opportunity to influence the election results through violence. political reports.
The threat assessment identified foreign terrorists, domestic extremists or lone wolves who could carry out violent acts, including vehicle attacks, bomb hoaxes or swatting calls.
In addition, law enforcement cited concerns about the protests descending into chaos, especially as certain groups that have faced arrest in previous protests have requested demonstration permits.
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The sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol as a rehearsal takes place on the Western Front ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
“Past protests by some of these individuals have involved traffic blockages, breaking and entering, destruction of property, and resisting arrest,” the threat assessment said.
Meanwhile, US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger He warned Monday that “lone actors” are the most serious threat to inauguration festivities, during a news conference with federal and local inauguration law enforcement officials.
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Members of the U.S. military’s Joint Honor Guard march while rehearsing for the presidential inauguration in front of the White House, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Newsroom)
“I think the biggest threat to all of us remains the lone actor,” Manger said. “Just last week, while President Carter lay in statetwo lone actors appeared at the Capitol: one trying to bring knives and a machete; Another who was trying, I believe, to disrupt the process by setting fire to his car in the Peace Circle area.”
“Capitol Police were able to intercept these people before they had a chance to do any damage,” Manger said. “But that threat from the lone actor remains the biggest justification for us being on this heightened state of alert for the next week.”
As a result, the inauguration will have a reinforced police presence. About 4,000 local law enforcement officers have volunteered to help, and 7,800 National Guard troops will also be deployed.
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United States Capitol surrounded by fencing in preparation for January 6, 2025. (Fox News Digital)
Matt McCool, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the agency’s Washington field office, said that in total there will be approximately 25,000 law enforcement officers working. McCool said this year’s inauguration plan features a “slightly more robust security plan,” compared to President Biden’s 2021 inauguration.
“What I can tell you is that we are 100% confident in the plan that we have put in place for this inauguration that the public and our protectees will be safe,” McCool said.
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Additionally, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said she is preparing for 12 separate First Amendment demonstrations at the inauguration, noting they will have the right to peacefully protest. Still, he said violence will not be allowed.
“I want to reiterate, as I always have, that violence, destruction and illegal behavior will not be tolerated,” Smith said Monday. “Violators will face swift and decisive consequences.”
Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
