Government agencies concerned about Trump inauguration as ‘potential target’ for extremists: report
Government agencies are warning that President-elect Trump’s inauguration could attract violent extremists — especially those harboring “election-related grievances,” according to a new report.
While no specific credible threats have been identified, agencies such as the FBI, Secret Service and Capitol Police have written a threat assessment that says extremists may see the inauguration as “their last chance to use violence to influence the election results.” reports Politico.
The threat assessment identified foreign terrorists, domestic extremists or lone wolves who could carry out acts of violence, including vehicle attacks, bomb hoaxes or calls to smash.
Also, law enforcement he cited concerns about the protests potentially causing chaos, especially as certain groups that had been arrested in previous protests requested permits to protest.
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The sun rises behind the US Capitol as rehearsals take place on the Western Front ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Sunday, January 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
“Past protests by some of these individuals have included blocking traffic, trespassing, destroying property and resisting arrest,” the threat assessment said.
Meanwhile, US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger warned Monday that “lone actors” are the most serious threat to the inauguration festivities, during a press conference with federal and local law enforcement officials on the inauguration.
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Members of the U.S. Army Joint Honor Guard parade during the presidential inauguration rehearsal outside the White House, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Newsroom)
“I think the biggest threat to all of us is the lone actor,” Manger said. “Just last week, doc President Carter lay at the ceremonywe had two lone actors show up at the Capitol: one trying to bring in knives and a machete; another who was trying to – what I believe – disrupt the proceedings by setting fire to his car in the area of the peace circle.”
“The Capitol Police were able to stop these people before they had a chance to do any damage,” Manger said. “But that lone actor threat remains the biggest justification for us being on this heightened alert next week.”
As a result, the inauguration will have an increased presence of the forces of order. Approximately 4,000 local police officers have volunteered to help, and 7,800 National Guard soldiers will also be deployed.
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The US Capitol surrounded by a fence in preparation for January 6, 2025. (Fox News Digital)
Matt McCool, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the agency’s field office in Washington, said roughly 25,000 law enforcement officers will be working in total. McCool said this year’s inauguration plan includes 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 we have put in place for this inauguration that the public and our residents will be safe,” McCool said.
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Furthermore, city Police Chief Pamela Smith said she is preparing for 12 separate First Amendment protests at the inauguration, noting that they will have the right to protest peacefully. However, she said that violence will not be allowed.
“I want to reiterate – as I always have done – that violence, destruction and illegal behavior will not be tolerated,” Smith said Monday. “Perpetrators will face swift and decisive consequences.”
Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
