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QAnon conspiracists will herald ex-President Donald Trump’s triumphant return to power on March 4, 2021. The FBI and Washington D.C. police have increased security at the United States Capitol to protect the staffers, president, and Congress as reported by NBC News on March 2.
After the insurrection on January 6, threats to the safety of government employees and elected officials will not be brushed aside. The D.C. police department released a statement concerning information and intelligence about the possible threat:
The Department has taken immediate steps to enhance our security posture and staffing for a number of days, [including] March 4th.
Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett says they are increasing security as a precautionary measure as they have no evidence that violent groups planning to be in D.C. for the “true inauguration.”
Nonetheless, since there is a distinct possibility of an attack on the U.S. Capitol, there will be increased security by D.C. Police officers and National Guardsmen who stand ready to act if needed. The non-scalable fencing surrounding the Capitol grounds will remain in place.
Statisticians indicate at least 20-25 percent of registered Republican voters believe some or all of the QAnon dogma. Apparently, the Trump International Hotel near the White House does as well.
In early February, the room rates for March 4th have jumped to nearly $1,400/night — more than twice as high as other rates in March.
QAnon and the sovereign citizen movement is promoting the conspiracy theory that a law enacted in 1871 turned the U.S. into a corporation and that every president since Ulysses S. Grant has been illegal.
While the FBI considers this a threat and will continue to boost security surrounding the U.S. Capitol, they also state the movement lacks any organizational structure. They are considered proponents of domestic terrorism. Its followers are “anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or ‘sovereign’ from the United States.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray stated domestic terrorism threats have increased. which requires increased and continued boosted security needed at the U.S. Capitol as well as state government buildings.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
NBC News: D.C. police, FBI on alert ahead of QAnon’s ‘true Inauguration Day;’ by Ben Collins and Brandy Zadrozny
FOX 5 News: Capitol Police increasing security ahead of March 4 due to ‘concerning information and intelligence; by Lindsey Watts
The Hill: Capitol Police beefing up security this week amid ‘concerning’ intelligence; by Lexi Lonas
New York Daily News: Trump hotel in D.C. boosts price for March 4, the day when QAnon predicts the former president will return to office; by Dave Goldliner
Featured and Top Image by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht Courtesy of The National Guard’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Tech. Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham Courtesy of The National Guard’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
