Capitol Could Be Surrounded Before Biden Inauguration: U.S. Rep.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Armed supporters of President Donald Trump plan to surround the Capitol before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, according to a western Pennsylvania U.S. representative briefed on the threat. Democratic Congressman Conor Lamb told CNN on Tuesday that as many as 4,000 people planned to prevent any Democrat from entering the building.

"They have published rules of engagement, meaning when you shoot and when you don't," said Lamb, of Allegheny County. "So this is an organized group that has a plan. They are committed to doing what they're doing because I think in their minds, you know, they are patriots and they're talking about 1776 and so this is now a contest of wills."

An FBI bulletin on Monday warned of "armed protests" being planned at all 50 state capitols and in Washington, D.C. Security is being increased before Inauguration Day, with law enforcement officials preparing the type of violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol last week and contributed to the deaths of five people.

The FBI bulletin stated the agency is tracking reports of threats to harm Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.

Regarding the extremist, threat, Lamb told CNN: "We are not negotiating with or reasoning with these people. They have to be prosecuted. They have to be stopped. And unfortunately, that includes the President, which is why he needs to be impeached and removed from office."

In the wake of the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week, security groups are warning about continued threats from far-right extremists nationwide, including in Pennsylvania.

Flyers calling for an "armed march on all state capitols" in the closing days of Donald Trump's presidency have been circulating the internet for days, alarming researchers and security analysts tracking online threats on several social media platforms.

State police say that planning is ongoing. They're working alongside Pennsylvania Capitol Police to provide resources "in the event of any unrest," a spokesperson said Monday, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is also assisting.

"We are confident that PSP has the resources in place to protect Pennsylvanians against threats and to work with all levels of law enforcement to keep the Commonwealth safe," Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Brent Miller said in an emailed statement to Patch.

Contributing: Justin Heinze/Patch.