U.S. intelligence agencies have identified domestic extremists with grievances rooted in election-related conspiracy theories, including beliefs in widespread voter fraud and hostility toward perceived political opponents, as the most likely threat of violence in the upcoming election. identified as a threat.
In a joint intelligence bulletin that was not publicly distributed but seen by NBC News, FBI and Homeland Security agents warned state and local law enforcement agencies about acts of terrorism and interference with voting. It warns that the domestic violent extremists it targets pose a threat to the nation. During the election period and on Inauguration Day.
The report identified potential targets as candidates, elected officials, election officials, members of the media, and judges involved in election cases. Potential threats include physical attacks and violence at polling places, ballot drop-off locations, voter registration locations, and rallies and campaign events.
Follow live updates about the 2024 elections
The October internal report was one of several intelligence documents obtained through public records requests by Property of the People, a nonprofit organization focused on government transparency. Federal officials regularly provide such threat assessments to state and local law enforcement agencies through official bulletins. Before January 6, 2021, there was a reluctance to distribute surveys of Americans because of concerns that they could be seen as violating free speech protections.
“The United States remains in a heightened and dynamic threat environment, and we continue to monitor law enforcement’s efforts to address the threat posed by domestic violent extremists in the backdrop of the 2024 election,” Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Mayra Rodriguez said in a statement. We continue to share information with our partners.” “Violence has no place in our politics. DHS continues to work with partners to assess and mitigate emerging threats that may arise from domestic and international actors.”
Still, the report “is not your typical election threat information,” said Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People. “These documents are undoubtedly the product of a fundamentally heightened threat environment.”
Former President Donald Trump has claimed that elections have been rigged since 2016, when he won the electoral college but lost the popular vote. In 2020, he and his allies doubled down on false claims of fraud, which fueled a violent attack on the Capitol aimed at overturning the election.
Perceptions of election fraud are a “salient narrative” for extremists targeting government and election officials, according to the report, with at least three extremist attacks and two domestic attacks since January 6. A chaotic conspiracy is said to be connected to these false claims. The agents also cited immigration, LGBTQ issues, abortion, and the failed assassination attempt on President Trump as motivators for recent calls for violence by extremists.
According to the FBI, threats against election workers, including letters containing white powder, online harassment, and fake calls to emergency services that trigger a potentially dangerous law enforcement response to their home, include threats and physical altercations. It has been increasing recently. The report says these threats tend to emanate from areas where election results are contested.
Election officials responded to the warning by increasing security measures. In Maricopa County, Arizona, the epicenter of 2020 election conspiracy theories and challenges, authorities reportedly have increased security for Election Day with metal detectors, armed guards, drones and police snipers. It is being
The report follows other reports released in recent weeks, warning of increased online chatter about an impending civil war and the prevention of some pre-election violence and attacks. Investigators wrote that some extremists are “engaging in illegal preparatory and violent activities tied to a narrative of impending civil war in response to the 2024 election season and salient policy issues.” are.
Another October bulletin issued by the Colorado Threat Assessment Center highlights the threat posed by those challenging the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. The report highlighted the issue of “insider threats” in which people granted access to the electoral process could attempt to derail it. It also noted that there is “continuing dialogue among individuals in extremist discussion groups and forums that the 2020 election results are inaccurate.”
The report pointed to recent incidents of targeted violence, including increased activity by Proud Boys organizing against white supremacists and Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. He also cited disturbing calls for violence on anonymous online bulletin boards targeting election officials and illegal immigrants as part of “preparations to defend election theft.”
