Capitol security strengthened over conspiracy talks

Capitol protects itself against possible incidents on Thursday 2:53

(CNN) ––  

US officials on Wednesday alerted lawmakers to a possible threat against the Capitol on March 4, so security has been tightened as a precaution, less than two months after rioters stormed the complex and threatened the life of congressmen.

The House of Representatives changed its voting schedule in light of the Capitol Police warning about security risks.

The chamber decided to vote on a police reform bill Wednesday night instead of Thursday night as planned.

Information from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warns of an increase in conversations among extremists - including members of the extremist group Three Percenters - about possible conspiracies against the Capitol on March 4, according to sources familiar with the matter.

This is a date on which people who follow conspiracy theories have focused, according to sources.

However, as security increases, law enforcement officials say it is unclear whether the discussions have gone beyond conversations between members of the groups.

One source pointed out that it is mainly about online chats.

And he added that this is not necessarily an indication that someone is heading to Washington to take action on the discussion.

AND

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Melissa Smislova, acting intelligence chief for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed to lawmakers that her department and the FBI had internally issued a joint intelligence bulletin on "extremists arguing about the 4 and on March 6 ».

The bulletin also warned of threats to President Joe Biden's speech at a joint session of Congress.

Presidents generally do not deliver an official State of the Union address in the first few months of their first term, but the Biden administration has considered giving a speech later in the year.

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Why do Trump supporters insist on March 4?

4:09

'Major Security Improvements' on Capitol Hill

Capitol police issued a statement Wednesday in which they said they obtained intelligence information on a "possible plot to break into the Capitol by a group of militias identified on Thursday, March 4."

The department said it is "aware of and prepared for any potential threats to members of Congress or the Capitol complex" and has made "major security improvements."

This includes adding a physical and more personal structure.

Acting Capitol Police Chief Yoganada Pittman also told Congress Wednesday that her department had "troubling information" about the upcoming days in Congress.

However, he stated that it would not be "prudent" for him to share intelligence information "sensitive to public order" in a public hearing or publicly.

Pittman assured lawmakers, however, that his department is in a "hardened" security posture.

He also explained that the National Guard and the Capitol Police were informed about what to expect in the coming days.

Acting House Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett issued a memo to members obtained by CNN on Monday.

In the document he indicated that they are reinforcing security as a precaution.

However, he added that "at this time," the Capitol Police "have no indication that groups will travel to the city of Washington to protest or commit acts of violence."

• FBI Director Disproves Conspiracy Theory That The Agitators In The Capitol Storming Were "False Trump Followers"

Blodgett wrote that they will send additional agents to locate them along the Capitol grounds.

He also mentioned that the importance "has supposedly decreased among various groups in recent days."

A Capitol Police officer describes their anti-riot efforts 7:53

QAnon's theory of March 4 on Capitol Hill

QAnon conspiracy theorists believe former President Donald Trump will take office on March 4 and return to the presidency.

Between 1793 and 1933, the inauguration was frequently celebrated on March 4 or a nearby date.

Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, told CNN in response to the warning from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that he and his colleagues take the threat "very seriously."

"There is a reason why there are still women and men in service of the National Guard deployed to the Capitol right now, and the fence and the barrier that we see," Padilla said in an interview Wednesday.

“It's because of what happened on January 6.

We still have to hold everyone accountable for what happened on January 6.

And we have not yet made the many changes necessary to secure the Capitol in the future.

So this is evolving in very real time.

Frankly, this information from DHS may be officially new, but it's not really surprising, "he said.

QAnon assures that Trump will return to power on March 4 4:39

Capitol QAnon Conspiracy Theories