The Capitol fence is back up. Police say they are prepared for a rally at the U.S. Capitol in support of rioters imprisoned after the Jan. 6 insurrection. “We’re not going to tolerate violence,' Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said.
Intelligence collected before the rally has suggested that extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers will turn up. But some prominent members of the groups have sworn they aren’t going and have told others not to attend. Far-right online chatter has been generally tame, and Republican lawmakers are downplaying the event.
Many commenters on online platforms like Telegram that are popular with the far right disavowed the rally, saying they believed law enforcement was promoting the event to entrap Trump supporters. Some urged their followers not to attend an event they said was secretly organized by the FBI. Donald Trump is still using his platform as the most popular leader in the GOP to express sympathy for those who were arrested and continue spreading election misinformation. In a statement Thursday, he said: “Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest concerning the Rigged Presidential Election.”
Federal authorities have identified several of those detained as extremist group leaders, members or associates, including nine defendants linked to the Proud Boys and three connected to the antigovernment Oath Keepers. Dozens are charged with conspiring to mount coordinated attacks on the Capitol to block Congress from certifying the 2020 Electoral College vote, among the most serious of the charges.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump issues support for Jan. 6 riot defendants as police brace for Capitol rally backing prisonersThe Jan. 6 Capitol riot interrupted the confirmation by Congress that President Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the race for the White House.
Read more »
Capitol police request National Guard on standby ahead of right-wing rally SaturdayCapitol police have requested the National Guard stay on standby in advance of the right-wing 'Justice for J6' rally planned for Saturday. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré joins Ayman to discuss.
Read more »
D.C. Rally to Support Jan. 6 Rioters Prompts Increased Capitol Police SecurityAuthorities are implementing some lessons learned during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol as they brace for a Saturday rally of Trump backers in support of the hundreds of people charged in the attack
Read more »
Protest for jailed Capitol rioters: Police ready this timeWASHINGTON (AP) — Allies of Donald Trump are mounting a Saturday rally at the U.S. Capitol, aimed at supporting what they call the “political prisoners” of the Jan. 6 insurrection — about 60 people held behind bars of the more than 600 charged in the deadly riot.
Read more »
100 National Guard troops are on standby to support Capitol Police during pro-Trump rally SaturdayThe National Guard troops will only deploy upon the request of the Capitol Police and will help man entry points to the Capitol complex.
Read more »
Capitol Police chief warns of 'chatter' about possible violence during far-right rallyUS Capitol Police chief says there has been “chatter” about possible violence associated with a rally planned by far-right protesters outside the Capitol building Saturday, but police are working to ensure there is no repeat of the Jan. 6 riot.
Read more »