Pa. Capitol Police prepare for armed protests
HARRISBURG — Police who guard the Pennsylvania Capitol are working to be more visible and have been coordinating plans with other agencies to secure the building since a violent mob stormed and occupied the U.S. Capitol last week, a state Department of General Services spokesperson said Monday.
Troy Thompson, speaking for the state agency that oversees the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police, said efforts to ensure the safety of those working in the building and the protection of the complex began after the riot Wednesday that followed a rally speech by President Donald Trump.
“The PA Capitol Police is enhancing its visible presence and will continue to collaborate with other law enforcement entities,” Mr. Thompson said, noting the building is closed to all visitors because of the pandemic.
The heightened tensions in Harrisburg coincides with a nationwide FBI warning that armed protesters are planning to descend on all 50 state capital cities and Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol.
An internal FBI bulletin warned, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Mr. Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of extremist groups, the officials said. The bulletin was first reported by ABC.
“Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” the bulletin read, according to one official. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
The FBI issued at least one other bulletin — they go out to law
enforcement nationwide on the topic — before the riots last week. On Dec. 29, it warned of the potential for armed demonstrators targeting legislatures, the second official said.
“While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI is supporting our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners with maintaining public safety in the communities we serve,” the bureau said in a statement. “Our efforts are focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity.”
The FBI said it wasn’t focused on peaceful protests but “on those threatening their safety and the safety of other citizens with violence and destruction of property.”
Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters Monday the Guard is also looking at any issues across the country.
“We’re keeping a look across the entire country to make sure that we’re monitoring and that our Guards in every state are in close coordination with their local law enforcement agencies to provide any support requested,” Gen. Hokanson said.
As for the potential for mass gatherings at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in the days or weeks ahead, Mr. Thompson said his agency, the state Department of General Services, hasn’t been contacted by anyone regarding a permit.
People can usually assemble outside the building without a permit, but they can’t use space for which another group has already received a permit, Mr. Thompson said. All permitted gatherings are posted on the General Services website.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, said Monday he has kept in touch in recent days with the Senate security force and, he expects to meet in person with them Tuesday.
“The Capitol Police, obviously, protect the building,” Mr. Corman said. “We have Senate security, which I oversee, and we have been in touch with our head of security in the Senate.”
He said Capitol Police can request additional resources if needed but had not as of Monday.
A state police spokesperson Monday declined to comment but said additional information may be released later.
Over the weekend, The Washington Post reported Pittsburgh was among several cities that could see threatened unrest tied to the inauguration.
On Sunday, Scott Brady, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, said his office and other federal law enforcement agencies have heard social media chatter and are aware Pittsburgh has been mentioned as a site for possible demonstrations.
“We have been in touch with the FBI on all threats and monitoring social media, so we are aware of discussions of potential protests,” Mr. Brady said. Mr. Brady declined to identify targeted sites, although he said federal buildings and other public buildings would be on such a list. He declined to speculate on the size of any gathering in Pittsburgh or to identify any participating groups.
“I don’t want to name them, but we are aware of the groups involved and some individuals,” he said.
Mr. Brady said his office and its state and local law enforcement partners that are part of a Joint Terrorism Task Force have been “on high alert” since Wednesday and would remain so through the inauguration.
He said he’s been in touch with local elected officials about the potential for a demonstration but has heard no threats against any specific individuals.
“We want to get the message out that violence will not be tolerated,” Mr. Brady said. “This will not be another Portland or Washington D.C.”
On Monday, Pittsburgh Public Safety said it “has nothing to add beyond the weekend statement on preparations. If/ when that changes, we will let everyone know. As for this question, I will point to the part of the statement that Public Safety cannot discuss specifics about preparations, but that we continue to monitor, prepare and communicate with our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal levels.”
Port Authority is aware of concerns about demonstrations, spokesman Adam Brandolph said Monday.
“We have been in touch with federal, state and local officials, and we will be taking precautions as needed and recommended,” he said.
The riots at the U.S. Capitol followed weeks of online calls for violence in Washington in the waning days of Donald Trump’s presidency.
A tweet in which Mr. Trump promised Wednesday’s event “will be wild” fueled a “month-long frenzy of incitements, strategizing, and embrace of violence against lawmakers,” according to a research group that tracks online extremism activity.