Beyond domestic terror, officials eye foreign ops, drones as threats to inauguration

[Mike 03]

ABC News/ABC 13
Mike Levine
Updated 15 minutes ago

Since a violent mob of President Donald Trump's supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol last week, U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that like-minded domestic terrorists could strike again when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as commander-in-chief next week.

But a wide-ranging threat assessment issued Thursday by several federal and local agencies makes it clear that U.S. agencies are preparing for the possibility that Biden's inauguration could inspire additional threats to the U.S. homeland, including foreign influence operations and even drone attacks from extremists.

"Since the incident at the U.S. Capitol, Russian, Iranian, and Chinese influence actors have seized the opportunity to amplify narratives in furtherance of their policy interest amid the presidential transition," the threat assessment noted, citing at least once instance in which a Russian "proxy" promoted claims the rioters at the Capitol last week were actually members of the radical left-wing antifa movement who "disguised themselves" as Trump supporters.

Still, the assessment said the U.S. government has not identified any "specific, credible" information that suggests foreign nations might target critical infrastructure or U.S. personnel supporting the inauguration.

"Given the significant security failures of Jan. 6, D.C. and federal law enforcement will be ready this time for extremists and bad actors to return," said Brian Harrell, the recently-departed head of infrastructure protection at the Department of Homeland Security.

...SNIP...

Noting public "calls to violent action" that have been made ahead of the inauguration, the threat assessment warned that last week's clashes between rioters and law enforcement officers "will likely exacerbate [domestic terrorist] grievances, particularly militia extremists," and said that the time leading up to the inauguration on Wednesday "offers [domestic terrorists] more time to plan acts of violence."

Read more at link: https://abc13.com/beyond-domestic-terror-officials-eye-foreign-ops-drones-as-threats-to-inauguration/9711795/

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

2. I actually worry the RW terrorists will stay away from DC, because

of all the security there now, and focus on state capitals, which are not as well prepared to thwart their nefarious plans.

[ananda]

3. That's been my thinking.

...

[captain queeg]

5. Drones concern me too. A swarm could get thru like in Saudi Arabia

I find a direct attack by a foreign power unlikely though they could certainly be influencing the RWsrs I think the folks who are thinking that DC will be left alone but various state capitols might be attacked is a likely scenario. One thing about the idea of an attack by a foreign power will no doubt be the cover story for any failed coup. They’ve already tried to blame antifa. I am amazed and saddened that so many Americans will chose to accept anything as long as their current notions don’t have to be discarded. It’s really hard for me to believe but I guess when you have a steady stream of hate media and Fox News reinforcing your beliefs that’s to be expected.