FBI warns of armed protests in all state capitals stoking fears of more pro-Trump violence

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The FBI has warned of armed protests set to be held across the US in the days before Joe Biden is sworn in as president.

Its warning has led to fears of more bloodshed after last week's invasion of the US Capitol.

Armed groups are reportedly planning to gather at all 50 state capitals in the run-up to president-elect Mr Biden’s inauguration on January 20.

Investigators believe some of the people are members of extremist groups, the officials said. The bulletin was first reported by ABC.

FILES-US-POLITICS-POLICE
AFP via Getty Images

The FBI issued at least one other bulletin - they go out to law enforcement nationwide on the topic - before the riots last week.

On December 29, it warned of the potential for armed demonstrators targeting legislatures, the second official said.

Army Gen Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters on Monday that the Guard is also looking at any issues across the country.

FILE PHOTO: Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest in Washington
REUTERS

"We're keeping a look across the entire country to make sure that we're monitoring, and that our Guards in every state are in close coordination with their local law enforcement agencies to provide any support requested," he said.

The riots followed weeks of online calls for violence in the nation's capital in the waning days of Donald Trump's presidency.

A tweet in which President Trump promised that last Wednesday's event in Washington "will be wild" fuelled a "month-long frenzy of incitements, strategising, and embrace of violence against lawmakers," according to a research group that tracks online extremism activity.

In a report issued on Saturday, the Site Intelligence Group also warned that the Capitol attack has emboldened Trump-supporting extremists.

The talk of armed marches next week is not limited to "radicalized" Trump supporters.

State capital events on January 17 appear to be promoted by supporters of the anti-government, pro-gun "boogaloo" movement.

Boogaloo followers advocate for a second civil war or the collapse of society, and they do not adhere to a coherent political philosophy. 

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