The Capitol Police reported a series of
specific threats against Congress
and the violent plans of supporters of the president, Donald Trump, during a call with members of the House of Representatives.
The congressmen were briefed Monday night on security measures they should take, three sources familiar with this call told NBC News.
One legislator described
the report by the acting chief of the Capitol Police
as
"chilling and horrible"
.
"They are talking about
4,000 armed patriots
to surround the Capitol," said Democratic Representative Conor Lamb in an interview with CNN, "they have talked about the rules of engagement, that is,
when you shoot and when not
."
[Trump calls impeachment "very dangerous". The United States is on high alert for its violent followers]
Supporters of President Donald Trump clash with Capitol Police on January 6.
These threats come almost a week after thousands of Trump supporters violently disrupted the session of Congress to validate the victory of President-elect Joe Biden, besmirching the Capitol.
At least five deaths linked to the attack were recorded.
[The assault on the Capitol from inside: a supporter of Trump records the violent struggle with the police]
It is
"an organized group that has a plan,"
Lamb said, "they are committed to doing what they are doing because I think in their minds, you know, they are patriots and they are talking about 1776."
In his first public appearance since Wednesday, Trump again refused on Tuesday to accept his responsibility in the assault on the Capitol and warned of the "tremendous anger" of his followers, which can cause "dangerous problems."
New incidents are feared both on January 20, when Biden must take office, and in the days before.
The mayor of Washington DC, Muriel Bowser, issued an order on Tuesday not to authorize activities in the district until January 22.
[Trump's final week: few allies, no Twitter, and on the brink of impeachment]
In the informative meeting with congressmen, the
perimeter that has been built around the Capitol
and the thousands of members of the National Guard who will protect the building
was also discussed
.
The heroic act of a policeman who averted a major disaster during the attack on the Capitol
Jan. 12, 202101: 51
The FBI has already sent an alert to law enforcement agencies across the country about possible armed protests in all 50 state Capitols beginning Jan. 16, and it also says that an armed group has threatened to travel to Washington, DC and organize an insurrection if Trump is removed from office, according to a senior law enforcement official.
The congressmen have also consulted about the increase in threats due to their possible vote in favor of a second impeachment against Trump.
The House Administration Committee reminded Democratic members that they can use government money to protect themselves.
"
The purchase of a bulletproof vest is a reimbursable expense
," states the Manual of Congress.
Two suspended police officers and a captain under investigation
The attack on the Capitol has also drawn criticism from security forces for their response.
Two Capitol police officers have been suspended and ten are under investigation for their role in last Wednesday's attack on Congress.
An Army officer is also under investigation for joining the pro-Trump rally, an Army spokesperson said Tuesday.
Captain Emily Rainey, 30, a psychology operations officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, told The Associated Press that she brought 100 members of a group of conservatives from North Carolina to Washington on Wednesday " to oppose electoral fraud ".
[No, the horned extremist who invaded the Capitol is not from Antifa: he supports Trump and QAnon's conspiracy theory]
"It is not clear at this time that he has violated any law or regulation with his presence or actions," said spokeswoman Dan Lessard and clarified that for that reason they are investigating what happened.
More than 150 attackers targeted by federal authorities
The Department of Justice and the FBI.
they have embarked on a nationwide manhunt to track down the people who attacked the Capitol, as they grapple with the aftermath of security forces' failures to protect the building.
Almost a hundred arrested after the assault on the Capitol
Jan. 11, 202100: 28
Investigators are pursuing more than 150 suspects for prosecution, a total that is almost certain to grow, an official told The New York Times.
With information from NBC News, CNN and The New York Times.
