House cancels Thursday session after security agencies warn of possible Capitol attack

Thursday’s legislative session in the U.S. House of Representatives has been canceled amid threats of a plot to storm the U.S. Capitol.

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The action came after Capitol Police said they have obtained intelligence that “shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group” on Thursday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint intelligence bulletin Tuesday that said that some members of the conspiracy-theory group QAnon believed that former President Donald Trump “will be inaugurated on 4 March or will return to power on 20 May with the help of the U.S. military.”

The memo, which was viewed by several media outlets, says domestic violent extremists remain inspired by “election fraud and other conspiracy theories associated with the presidential transition.”

Intelligence officials said they have been aware of possible violence in Washington on March 4 with members of QAnon saying in online communications that it is the date of the “true” inauguration of Trump because it was once the date on which U.S. presidents were sworn in. Inauguration Day was moved to Jan. 20 in 1937.

The security bulletin reportedly says that extremists discussed plans as of late February to take control of the Capitol and remove Democratic lawmakers “on or about 4 March” and “discussed aspirational plans to persuade thousands to travel to Washington, DC to participate,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued a statement late Wednesday saying that all votes set for later this week would be wrapped up by Wednesday evening.

The decision to cancel Thursday’s legislative session came after the FBI/DHS warning and an email from acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett to lawmakers on Wednesday that said Capitol Police had received “new and concerning information and intelligence indicating additional interest in the Capitol for the dates of March 4th – 6th by a militia group.”

While the House canceled its session, the Senate planned to convene at noon Thursday to consider the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, among other issues.

Melissa Smislova, acting undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at the Department of Homeland Security, testified in hearings on Capitol Hill Wednesday that DHS had been monitoring “ongoing” threats to the Capitol, The Associated Press reported.

“We have enhanced our security posture,” Pittman said of measures being taken to protect the building. “We have taken immediate steps to let the National Guard, as well as our workforce, know what to expect tomorrow and going forward.”

The AP reported that online chatter identified by authorities included discussions among members of the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia group, concerning possible plots against the Capitol on Thursday, according to two law enforcement officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Members of the Three Percenters were among the extremists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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