A right-wing plot to storm the Capitol and remove lawmakers did not materialize on Thursday, after the FBI, DHS, and Capitol Police issued bulletins warning that they had intelligence identifying “credible threats” to that effect.
Breaking on @MSNBC: The FBI and DHS have issued a joint intel bulletin warning that domestic extremists have discussed plans to "take control of the U.S. Capitol and remove democratic lawmakers on or about the 4th of March." March 4 is important to QAnon believers. @JuliaEAinsley
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 3, 2021
The Capitol complex is on high alert in wake of intelligence obtained by Capitol police suggesting "a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group" on March 4.
Some 5,000 National Guard remain stationed on site and across the city. https://t.co/xaV9tcXEVi pic.twitter.com/9VVLSf4XKn
— ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2021
Capitol Police official warning: "We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4. … We are taking the intelligence seriously."https://t.co/oziyVMiH7c
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 3, 2021
U.S. intelligence analysts apparently came to this conclusion after perusing QAnon message boards, where true-believers theorized that former president Trump would retake office on March 4, the country’s original Inauguration Day.
In dozens of reports, the corporate media hyped the “potential threat” of a QAnon uprising in our nation’s Capitol.
In response, the House of Representatives suspended its Thursday session and Capitol Police and National Guard troops went on “high alert.”
The Senate bravely convened on March 4, amid the “credible threat” that a QAnon mob could potentially attack lawmakers.
Journalists covered the Capitol on Thursday like reporters embedded in a foreign war zone.
I’m here at the U.S. Capitol today where lots of National Guard troops are guarding the building amid a possible plot to breach the Capitol again.
The House cancelled its session today amid the threats
MORE 👇https://t.co/Oi5p3FmvSv @USATODAY pic.twitter.com/1YnVr6G9fd— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) March 4, 2021
This gives you an idea of just how different the Capitol complex feels with all this security.
This area is typically filled with traffic. It’s deserted now. As I was roaming around the complex, the only vehicle (besides military trucks) I saw driving around was a garbage truck pic.twitter.com/vS72OUyLsi— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) March 4, 2021
I asked these National Guards troops, “more media than anyone else eh?”
One replied, “true.” Another said, “yes.”
Then we agreed that it’s a beautiful day. pic.twitter.com/YzqDX3RgUr
— Richie🎥McG🍿 (@RichieMcGinniss) March 4, 2021
“As of mid-day Thursday, security remained visibly tight but there was no indication that any attack would happen,” ABC News couldn’t help but notice.
The Washington Post finally admitted Thursday afternoon that the threat of militant Trump supporters storming the Capitol appeared to be “a mirage.”
Samantha Broaddus, 34, had heard vague references about a QAnon threat, but she didn’t think much of it before arriving on the Hill for a dentist appointment and finding what looked like a fortress.
“It’s more sad than nerve-wracking,” she said, strolling down the street with her 9-month-old daughter. “D.C. used to feel so accessible to everyone who wanted. Now it’s starting to feel like another country.”
“It doesn’t make sense anymore,” said John Kabre, an events coordinator outside of 101 Constitution. “I think people are overreacting.”
“There was never a threat to the Capitol,” tweeted investigative journalist Jordan Schachtel, going on to explain the real reason for the security theater in D.C.
“I tracked the ‘intel bulletins’ when they attempted this stunt the 1st time. Fake intel justifies the military occupation, which justifies the narrative, which justifies the canceling of your rights, which justifies labeling you the enemy.”
There was never a threat to the Capitol. I tracked the "intel bulletins" when they attempted this stunt the 1st time. Fake intel justifies the military occupation, which justifies the narrative, which justifies the canceling of your rights, which justifies labeling you the enemy.
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) March 4, 2021
According to new reports, two upcoming dates could potentially inspire “right-wing extremists” to to storm the Capitol again: March 20, when the Republican party was founded, and April 15, federal income tax day.
Capitol Police have now asked for the National Guard’s “mission” to be extended by two more months. About 5,200 guardsmen remain on duty in Washington, costing U.S. taxpayers $2 million per week.