US President Donald Trump has issued an emergency declaration in the nation's capital amid growing concern among law enforcement authorities about violence in the lead-up to and during president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20. This comes five days after a violent, pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol as Congressional representatives began formally counting the electoral college votes to certify his defeat to Biden. The declaration allows the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate with local authorities as needed. The declaration is in effect till January 24.
A few days back, top elected officials like District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan had urged people to stay away from inaugural events because of "last weeks violent insurrection as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic". A large section of the Trump voter base refuses to accept the election results because the president has spent months complaining that he was cheated out of an election victory by widespread voter fraud.
FBI warns of terror acts
The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to Biden's inauguration. An internal FBI bulletin warned that, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later in the week and extend through Biden's January 20 inauguration, according to news agency AP. Investigators believe some of the people are members of some extremist groups.
"Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January," the bulletin said, according to one report.
The FBI had 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.
-Inputs from agencies
