Politics

FBI warns of armed protests being planned at all 50 state capitols ahead of Biden inauguration

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According to an FBI bulletin obtained by ABC news, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols.

The FBI also received news of a group that was calling on the “storming” of courthouses and other administrative buildings in the days leading up to president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. “The FBI received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, DC on 16 January… They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment, a huge uprising will occur,” [ABC News]. In a statement made to CNN by the FBI, they assure that they “respect[s] the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights.”

They also assure in their statement that they are not targeting peaceful protestors and are only focused on groups who are, “threatening their safety and the safety of other citizens with violence and destruction of property.” On January 6th, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, urged DC residents to stay home and to participate virtually. “We are all focused on preparing for the upcoming presidential inauguration, our goals right now are to encourage Americans to participate virtually and to protect the district of columbia from a repeat of the violent insurrection experienced at the capitol and its grounds of January the 6th.”

Law enforcement agencies nationwide have been preparing for possible insurrections in the days leading to and after Biden’s inauguration.  “Our security planning is fluid and adjustments are made as needed, from day-to-day… Security enhancements that can be put in place include both seen and unseen measures. In general, we don’t discuss security measures, but I can confirm that out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing our visible presence at the Capitol for the next couple of weeks starting today,” said Michigan State police spokesperson Shannon Baker. Open carry of firearms inside the Capitol of Michigan has also been banned. However, the policy change only affects capitol grounds indoor and does not ban concealed pistol carry according to state laws. These enforcements and efforts are reflected nationwide. 

ARTICLE: YULIANIE HERNANDEZ

POLITICS EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: JIM BOURG/REUTERS

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