An FBI field office in Virginia collected and distributed evidence that extremists were planning an assault on the Capitol.
The warning was issued a day before the deadly riot but the concern raised by the FBI field office did not result in increased security at the Capitol.
The Washington Post reported on an internal document that revealed, “extremists were preparing to travel to Washington to commit violence and ‘war.'”
We're learning that law enforcement did receive a warning about last week's deadly attack on the Capitol.
The FBI now says a field office in Virginia warned of "war" at the Capitol the day before the riot.@jeffpeguescbs has more. pic.twitter.com/UtlidalUmN
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 13, 2021
According to NBC News, the FBI in Washington alerted local law enforcement about threats, including the field office report, but the current and former Capitol Police leadership deny seeing the intelligence information.
It was also reported the New York City Police Department provided information to Washington, D.C. law enforcement.
Following the riot at the Capitol, the FBI is aggressively pursuing and arresting individuals who appeared to have participated in the violence.
The #FBI is still seeking information to help identify individuals who actively instigated violence on January 6 in Washington, D.C. Visit https://t.co/h36NpdxbEh to see images from current cases, and if you see someone you recognize, submit a tip at https://t.co/buMd8vYXzH. pic.twitter.com/cGgWNeywIc
— FBI (@FBI) January 10, 2021
However, the late actions by the FBI on this incident and others over the years is being called out.
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/1349415912743579653?s=20
Now erring on the side of caution, the FBI is warning states of protests at their capitol buildings, including New York.
The FBI has warned of nationwide violent threats, and the State Capitol building in Albany has already taken precautions. https://t.co/T0pAKyitaj
— news10nbc (@news10nbc) January 13, 2021
Just the News interviewed former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik on the intelligence leading up to the riot at the Capitol.
By all accounts, the FBI, NYPD and other authorities did exactly what they should have done by conducting interviews and making notifications to the Washington D.C. authorities,” Kerik said. “If these reports are true, you cannot incite a group that already pre-planned acts of violence by days or weeks, and it raises serious questions as to what security precautions were taken at the Capitol as a result.”
The news story also mentions the former head of the Capitol Police requested additional security but the request was rejected by top security officials that report to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
The deadly assault at the Capitol was an outrageous act that never should have happened.
However, if intelligence reports were acted upon by the law enforcement in Washington, D.C. the entire incident could have been avoided.
It’s inexcusable that the Capitol was not secure before such a big day, especially given the fact there were multiple warnings about extremist threats.
Those responsible for the deadly riot must be held accountable but those who failed to secure the Capitol must be held accountable as well for their gross negligence.
