US security chiefs warn of threat from domestic terrorists
US security chiefs have warned of a heightened threat of domestic terrorism from people disputing the outcome of the November election.
The Department of Homeland Security said the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters may have emboldened some extremists.
In an advisory it warned of a threat from “individuals frustrated with the exercise of governmental authority”.
But it added that there was no information on a specific plot.
The department warned of the risk of attacks by “ideologically-motivated violent extremists” agitated about President Joe Biden’s inauguration and “perceived grievances fueled by false narratives”. It said the purpose of the new bulletin was to warn the public about a “heightened threat environment” across the United States “that is likely to persist over the coming weeks”.
The attack on the US Capitol building, which resulted in five deaths, including one police officer, came as Congress was meeting to confirm Mr Biden's election victory. Outgoing President Donald Trump had earlier addressed thousands of his supporters outside the White House and repeated unfounded claims that the election had been stolen from him.
He told them: "If you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country any more."
No other bulletin in recent years has been issued to alert Americans about violence by domestic extremists.
The new bulletin will remain in place until April 30.