Threats prompt Washington alert
WASHINGTON: Washington’s security posture has been bolstered after threats of a possible “breach” on Thursday of the US Capitol, with the House of Representatives changing its voting plans to avoid gathering members on a day of potential unrest.
The warning was relayed on Wednesday by US Capitol police, who said it was prompted by intelligence about an unnamed militia group.
It follows online chatter from conspiracy-embracing extremists who believe March 4 is the day former president Donald Trump will return to Washington to be inaugurated for a second term.
The threat comes nearly two months after Trump supporters, including QAnon followers, stormed the Capitol building and laid siege to Congress, in an attack that left five people dead.
Some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe Mr Trump was cheated out of a second term and that Thursday will mark his victorious return to power to confront a secret global cabal of Satanist liberals.
“We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group,” police said.
“We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers.”