Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
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 including the FBI, Secret Service and Capitol Police wrote a threat assessment that said extremists may see the inauguration as “their last chance to influencing electoral results through violence”. Political reports.
The threat assessment identified foreign terrorists, domestic extremists or lone wolves who could carry out violent acts such as vehicle attacks, bomb hoaxes or hit-and-run calls.
Likewise, law enforcement cited concerns that the protests would descend into chaos, particularly as certain groups that have faced arrests in previous protests have applied for demonstration permits.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION AS EXPERTS WEIGH IN
The sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol as a rehearsal takes place on the Western Front ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
“Past protests by some of these individuals have involved blocking traffic, trespassing, destruction of property and resisting arrest,” the threat assessment said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger warned Monday that “lone actors” are the most serious threat to the inauguration festivities, during a news conference with federal and local law enforcement officials about the inauguration.
SEE TRUMP’S SELECTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION AND TOP CABINET POSITIONS
Members of the U.S. Army Joint Honor Guard parade as they rehearse 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 is still the lone actor,” Manger said. “Just last week, while President Carter was in the statewe had two lone actors show up at the Capitol: one trying to carry knives and a machete; another who was trying, I believe, to disrupt the proceedings by setting fire to his car in the area of the peace circle.”
“The Capitol Police were able to interdict these people before they had a chance to do any harm,” Manger said. “But this lone actor threat remains the biggest justification for us being on this heightened alert for the week ahead.”
As a result, the inauguration will have a reinforced presence of law enforcement. Approximately 4,000 local police have volunteered to help, and 7,800 National Guard troops will also be deployed.
ABBOTT ASKS ALL STAFF FOR FLAGS FOR TRUMP INAUGURATION DESPITE ONE-MONTH ORDER TO HONOR CARTER
US 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 field office in Washington, said about 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 have 100 percent confidence in the plan we’ve put in place for this opening that the public and our proteges will be safe,” McCool said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said she is preparing for 12 separate First Amendment demonstrations at the inauguration, noting that they will have the right to protest peacefully. Still, he said violence will not be tolerated.
“I want to reiterate, as I always have, that violence, destruction and illegal behavior will not be tolerated,” Smith said Monday. “Offenders will face swift and decisive consequences.”
Alec Schemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
