A series of new threats
More on the plans for next week:
Thousands of armed pro-Donald Trump extremists are plotting to surround the US Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to a member of Congress who was among those briefed late Monday on a series of new threats against lawmakers and the Capitol itself.
Then they were kind of silly to tip their hand last week. Law enforcement is awake now, so I don’t think their plotting will translate to a triumphant encirclement of the Capitol.
Two Democratic lawmakers who participated in the briefing told CNN that they were walked through several scenarios on a call Monday and officers were sober about the threats. An effort was made to emphasize how different security is right now, the members said.
“They are very strong when we are weak. That is when the mob psychology takes hold and they are emboldened, but when met with actual determined force, I think a lot of these fantasy world beliefs about what will happen when they come to Washington will melt away,” one of the members said.
I have a feeling the force will be pretty determined. They will have Officer Sicknick in mind.
Early Tuesday afternoon, The Washington Post reported that an FBI office in Norfolk, Virginia, issued an “explicit internal warning that extremists were preparing to travel to Washington to commit violence and ‘war.'” Although the FBI report was described as not “finally evaluated intelligence,” it is likely to raise additional questions about how law enforcement officials missed signs leading up to last week’s attack and readiness ahead of potential new threats.
We are indeed wondering about that.
There was worry before Obama’s first inauguration, you know. I remember it. There was discussion about whether or not they would do the traditional walk up Pennsylvania Avenue. I remember watching it, and feeling elated but tense. This is basically just chapter 2 of that. Trump got his start in “politics” telling racist lies about Obama. Here we are again.
It would be wrong to think they missed the signs before. By their actions, most of the force was ready and willing to help the capitol invaders. We don’t yet have a reason to think there will be anything different this time.
Airbnb has cancelled all reservations in the DC area (they’re refunding all cancellations, and also reimbursing hosts for lost revenue). I’m hoping the hotels around here will do the same thing.
Wow – 2 Wash State Republicans voted to Impeach
Pliny: I vote for Cascadia! :)
I read somewhere that Sicknick was a Trump supporter, no less. I don’t know if that is true or not, but it was reported in some actual mainstream journalism article.
James, yes Sicknick did support Trump at least back in 2016. I read an account yesterday written by a Dem Staffer at the Capitol. She described how she would chat with Sicknick every morning as he manned the entrance she used. They had bonded over a shared love of the outdoors. She described him as a kind and decent person. The day after the Election and Clinton’s defeat she was approaching the building feeling miserable. When she saw Sicknick she burst into tears and he comforted her, never triumphing in the win by his preferred candidate.
Maybe he remained an ardent Trump fan to the last. maybe he was disillusioned at some point. Regardless, he stayed at his post and did his job. More than can be said for many cops, prosecutors and politicians who took part in, aided or at least tacitly supported an insurrection.