FBI fears armed protests by Trump supporters

As the US prepares for Joe Biden to be sworn in as President, US security officials have warned of possible armed protests being held across the country.

There are reports of armed groups planning to gather at all 50 state capitols and in Washington DC in the run-up to his 20 January inauguration, two weeks after a pro-Trump mob stormed Congress.

With a vote on whether to impeach Donald Trump set for 13 January, based on ‘incitement of insurrection, security officials have said there will be no repeat of the breach seen on 6 January, when thousands of pro-Trump supporters were able to break into the building where members of Congress were voting to certify the election result.

However, there is evidence of posts on pro-Trump and far-right online networks calling for protests on a number of dates, including armed demonstrations in cities across the country on 17 January and a march in Washington DC on inauguration day itself. One group is calling for the ‘storming’ of state, local and federal courthouses around the country if Trump is removed from office early and on inauguration day if he is not.

According to US media, local police agencies have been told by federal law enforcement to increase security at statehouses. FBI warnings are in place for all state capitals from 16 to 20 January itself and in Washington DC at least three days before the inauguration.