The director of the FBI said that while the suspects in the assault on the Capitol are being investigated, a high alert is also maintained on other possible acts of political violence
Photo: JUSTIN LANE / EFE
Researchers identified more than 200 suspects in their investigation of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol and arrested more than 100 people, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Thursday Chris Wray , in his first public appearance since the riot, reported on CNN.
“We know who you are if you’re out there, and FBI agents are coming looking for you,” Wray said during a security briefing for the inauguration of Joe Biden , which was held at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington DC, with Vice President Mike Pence .
Wray’s comments come as federal investigators are chasing thousands of leads in the state. Twin erzos to prosecute the people involved in last week’s attack on the United States Capitol and to try to prevent the feared subsequent attacks in Washington and throughout the country.
The #FBI is still seeking information to help identify individuals who actively instigated violence on January 6 in Washington, DC Visit https://t.co/h36 NpdxbEh 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
The challenge, say FBI and Department of Justice officials, is “Unprecedented” and Wray addressed the duality of the current situation in his comments Thursday, speaking directly to those who might be considering engaging in violence in the future.
“My advice to people who might be willing to follow in the footsteps of those who participated in the type of activity we saw last week is for them to stay home, ”Wray said. “Look what is happening now with the people who were involved in the siege of the Capitol.”
However, while federal law enforcement officials have tried to reassure the American public in recent days that they are up to the task on both fronts, their public comments also reveal the enormity of the challenge they face, by tracking potential threats not just to the capital, but throughout the country.
Security in the inauguration
Even as the FBI and its law enforcement partners continue to track down suspects in last week’s attack, Wray’s Thursday briefing featured another indication that authorities are increasingly concerned about more violence in the coming days.
In a series of newsletters and calls with local law enforcement agencies this week, Federal law enforcement agencies issued an urgent call for assistance to secure the nation’s capital as the inauguration approaches, and they painted a dire picture of potential threats through 20 from January.
Authorities across the country are also increasing security.
In Oklahoma, House members were told not to attend the state capitol this weekend due to concerns about possible protests.
Fences have been erected around the state capitol of Arizona “As a precaution” and the National Guard will assist the Oregon State Police while facing possible protests.
In California, and Governor Gavin Newsom has called on the National Guard to protect the state Capitol in Sacramento in preparation for Inauguration Day next Wednesday. The governor signed a general order authorizing the deployment of 1, 000 effective of the National Guard on Thursday, as fences are added around the building.
On Thursday, Wray reiterated that the FBI has “confidence” in his preparedness and security around the opening of next week.
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