Deutsche Welle (English edition)
US state capitals brace for pro-Trump demonstrations
A dozen US states have activated their National Guards, and the FBI has warned of protests by armed, right-wing groups. Supporters of President Donald Trump have begun their rallies in cities across the country.
Police and National Guard troops were deployed Sunday to fortified US government houses around the country in preparation for a potential wave of violent protests by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Federal and state law enforcement officials warned of possible fresh disturbances around state legislatures after a large pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol building in Washington DC on January 6.
The riot led to dozens of arrests and the second impeachment of the president.
Trump supporters believe that he won the election and that fraud was committed on a massive scale, despite strong evidence to the contrary and no evidence surfacing to prove their point of view in dozens of courts that heard cases on the matter.
Sunday's protests began in a quiet and peaceful manner, including at the Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Michigan statehouses, where some of the demonstrators were reported to be armed.
The New York Times reported that the extremist Boogaloo bois movement was present in several locations, carrying militarystyle rifles. It said the men were part of a group who hopes that a second civil war will lead to the overthrow of the US government.
In addition to increasing police presence, and erecting barriers to protect their legislatures, some states, including Pennsylvania, Texas and Kentucky, took the further step of closing their capitol grounds to the public.
FBI warns of extremist groups
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warnedthatarmed protesters could turn up, as right-wing extremists have been emboldened by the deadly siege in Washington.
Security officials have singled out theanti-government "boogaloo" movement in particular, as one that has made plans weeks ago to holdrallies in all 50 states.
It remained unclear whether the increased security presence could lead some protesters to stay at home.
Some right- wing militia groups have canceled a longplanned pro-gun demonstration, like that ofthe state of Virginia, which was planned for Monday.
They have told followers tostay home this weekend, citing the increase in security aslaw enforcement traps.
Fortress Washington
Meanwhile, the District of Columbia has been ramping up security in and around the US Capitol in Washington. On Sunday, the downtown area was a virtual ghost town, except forbattalions of camouflaged NationalGuard soldiers.
The troops began arriving in the US capital days ago, with the aim of fortifying the city against potential protests and violence during the transfer of power from Trump to President-elect Joe Biden.
Biden’s inauguration is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 20, in a scaled-down ceremony that will still be celebrated on the steps of the US Capitol.
Authorities were on high alert when on Saturday a man with a loaded handgun, shoddy credentials and more than 500 rounds of ammunitionwas arrested at a security checkpoint near the Capitol.
The man told authorities that it was "an honest mistake" and that he was a private security guard who got lost on his way to work near the Capitol.
winner at federal level.
Both instances demonstrate that Laschet can wait, and has perseverance.
Now he is Merkel's second successor in the office of party chief. Whoever holds this position traditionally becomes the party's candidate for chancellor and, if the CDU can form a governing majority, has the first shot at the Chancellery. But whether Laschet will also compete for that position has long been unclear.
"A state premier who successfully governs a population of 18 million can also be Germany's chancellor," emphasized Laschet a few days ago.
The candidate is due to be decided only after regional elections in two German states, a good two months from now. That decision will be made in coordination with Söder, who denies persistent rumors that he may want to be the CDUCSU candidate for chancellor. But German bookmakers have Söder top of their list.