Capitol Police warn of threats ahead of inauguration

Capitol Police are warning of post-election threats on Jan. 6 and Inauguration Day, specifically threats to government officials and election-related sites.

Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, said the job of the Capitol Police is to assess the potential for violence as Jan. 6 and the inauguration near.

“And let’s face it, do a better job than they did four years ago,” Brantner Smith said.

In a recent Capitol Police assessment obtained by ABC News, officials warned of increased threats toward government officials and election-related sites.

“Both on social media and in person if you will,” said Brantner Smith.

Capitol Police are anticipating demonstrations targeting the electoral certification involving an activist group with a history of large-scale demonstrations and protests related to the ongoing war in Israel.

“This is something that they have to continue to plan and prepare for,” said Brantner Smith.

Rebecca Rouse, an emergency and security expert, said Capitol Police are also looking at social media for rhetoric that could lead to politically motivated violence.

“Social media of course, folks are often not shy about saying what they intend to do,” Rouse said.

The report emphasizes that for many, the electoral vote certification and inauguration are viewed as the last chance to influence the election results.

“The whole world is watching this ceremony and for somebody to kind of muster a demonstration or a protest and conduct it in the vicinity of the inauguration is not necessarily uncommon,” said Rouse.

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