FBI Warns of Armed Protests Across US Ahead of Inauguration
2021-01-13
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned of possible armed protests across the country leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.
2FBI officials told news agencies they had learned about planned protests that could take place in Washington, D.C. as well as all 50 state capitals.
3The warning comes after extremists attacked and occupied the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday.
4The mob - led by supporters of President Donald Trump - arrived as lawmakers were counting electoral votes to make Biden's win final.
5The riot left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.
6Numerous people have been charged in the violence so far.
7More charges are expected.
8The FBI told VOA it is examining evidence suggesting that groups or individuals may be looking to incite violence in connection with the planned handover of presidential power.
9The warnings were based on "intelligence" about the protest plans, an FBI statement said.
10The FBI is sharing the intelligence information with state, local and federal law enforcement partners to help them prepare for possible threats.
11"Our focus is not on peaceful protesters, but on those threatening their safety and the safety of other citizens with violence and destruction of property," the statement said.
12Security has been increased at state capitol buildings around the country ahead of next week's inauguration ceremony in Washington.
13The chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army General Daniel Hokanson, told reporters that his organization was also looking at possible protest threats across the country.
14He said Guard leaders in every state were cooperating closely with local law enforcement agencies "to provide any support requested."
15In a step to protect the nation's capital, the National Guard has been authorized to send up to 15,000 troops to Washington.
16Hokanson said he expected about 10,000 troops to arrive by Saturday to provide security, communications and other support.
17In another security measure, the National Park Service said the Washington Monument would be closed to all visitors until January 24 because of threats of violence.
18The Park Service said other parts of the National Mall and roadways could also be blocked in the coming weeks.
19President-elect Joe Biden told reporters he was "not afraid" of taking the oath of office outside the grounds of the Capitol on January 20.
20But he said it was critically important for the people who took part in last week's attack to be held accountable for their actions.
21The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it was directing the U.S. Secret Service to start its inauguration security operation this Wednesday, six days earlier than planned.
22DHS said the decision was made because of the events of the past week and the "evolving" security threats.
23Mark Pitcavage is a researcher with the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism.
24He told The Associated Press that officials in state capitals and other major cities should prepare for the possibility of violent protests next week.
25"A lot of people were energized by what happened last week," Pitcavage said.
26"State capitals are a natural place where people might want to show up."
27I'm Bryan Lynn.
1The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned of possible armed protests across the country leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20. 2FBI officials told news agencies they had learned about planned protests that could take place in Washington, D.C. as well as all 50 state capitals. 3The warning comes after extremists attacked and occupied the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. The mob - led by supporters of President Donald Trump - arrived as lawmakers were counting electoral votes to make Biden's win final. 4The riot left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer. Numerous people have been charged in the violence so far. More charges are expected. 5The FBI told VOA it is examining evidence suggesting that groups or individuals may be looking to incite violence in connection with the planned handover of presidential power. 6The warnings were based on "intelligence" about the protest plans, an FBI statement said. 7The FBI is sharing the intelligence information with state, local and federal law enforcement partners to help them prepare for possible threats. "Our focus is not on peaceful protesters, but on those threatening their safety and the safety of other citizens with violence and destruction of property," the statement said. 8Security has been increased at state capitol buildings around the country ahead of next week's inauguration ceremony in Washington. 9The chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army General Daniel Hokanson, told reporters that his organization was also looking at possible protest threats across the country. He said Guard leaders in every state were cooperating closely with local law enforcement agencies "to provide any support requested." 10In a step to protect the nation's capital, the National Guard has been authorized to send up to 15,000 troops to Washington. Hokanson said he expected about 10,000 troops to arrive by Saturday to provide security, communications and other support. 11In another security measure, the National Park Service said the Washington Monument would be closed to all visitors until January 24 because of threats of violence. The Park Service said other parts of the National Mall and roadways could also be blocked in the coming weeks. 12President-elect Joe Biden told reporters he was "not afraid" of taking the oath of office outside the grounds of the Capitol on January 20. But he said it was critically important for the people who took part in last week's attack to be held accountable for their actions. 13The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it was directing the U.S. Secret Service to start its inauguration security operation this Wednesday, six days earlier than planned. DHS said the decision was made because of the events of the past week and the "evolving" security threats. 14Mark Pitcavage is a researcher with the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism. He told The Associated Press that officials in state capitals and other major cities should prepare for the possibility of violent protests next week. 15"A lot of people were energized by what happened last week," Pitcavage said. "State capitals are a natural place where people might want to show up." 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page. 19_______________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21inauguration - n. the act of officially putting someone into an important position, or the ceremony at which this is done 22intelligence - n. secret information about the governments of other countries or the activities of certain groups 23focus - v. to center attention on something 24authorize - v. to give permission for something to happen 25accountable - adj. responsible for one's actions 26evolve - v. to develop over time