Supporters of Donald Trump during the assault on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021 in Washington.

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Pacific Press / SIPA

The United States under tension.

The US government issued an anti-terrorism alert on Wednesday against the risk of further violence by "extremists" opposed to Joe Biden's presidency, three weeks after the attack on Capitol Hill.

At the same time, the judicial authorities announced the indictment of a supporter of Donald Trump after the discovery in his company of five homemade bombs and an arsenal that he intended, according to the indictment, to use against Democrats .

The Ministry of Internal Security has however assured that its alert bulletin was not motivated by "information on a specific credible plot".

Rather, he reports a "climate of heightened threats" present throughout the United States and likely to last for several weeks.

"Reports suggest that violent extremists objecting to the exercise of government authority and the presidential transition, as well as other grievances fueled by false stories, may continue to mobilize, and incite to commit crimes. violence ”, according to its bulletin.

The Ministry of Homeland Security regularly publishes these warnings, but they are usually linked to threats of foreign origin, including jihadists.

The last was on Iran.

The new message therefore seems to indicate a change of footing in the administration under the leadership of Joe Biden who, when he was inaugurated on January 20, vowed to "defeat white supremacism and domestic terrorism".

" Angry "

The bulletin published on Wednesday, which is valid until April 30, refrains from using these labels.

But he notes that extremists animated by several motivations, and in particular their "anger at the restrictions linked to Covid-19 and the results of the presidential election", plotted in 2020, and sometimes, attacked official buildings.

Some "could have been galvanized by the intrusion on January 6" in the Capitol, adds the ministry, in reference to the murderous assault of supporters of Donald Trump on the seat of Congress at the time when the elected officials certified the victory of his rival .

The ministry says it is determined to protect "critical infrastructure" and "populations that could be targeted because of their religion, race, origin, identity or political opinion."

But he also invites Americans to be vigilant.

“Take into account your environment and your personal safety.

Keep emergency contacts and other essential information on you, ”he recommends.

On Monday, the Defense Department had already announced that the thousands of National Guard soldiers deployed for the swearing-in of Joe Biden would remain in Washington until March, following new threats.

"Attacking Democrats"

At the same time, the judicial authorities have deployed great means to find the perpetrators of the attack on the seat of Congress.

More than 150 people have already been indicted by the federal justice, including three members of a far-right militia indicted for "conspiracy and sedition".

In a separate file, the Justice Department on Wednesday announced the indictment of Ian Benjamin Rogers, a 43-year-old Californian mechanic linked to a far-right militia.

During searches of his business, agents discovered a strong cabinet in which were five homemade bombs, equipment to make more and about 50 weapons, said prosecutor David Anderson.

According to an investigative report attached to the proceedings, messages left on his phone indicate that he was convinced by the allegations of electoral fraud brandished - without proof - for more than two months by Donald Trump to refuse to concede his defeat.

These messages show "his intention to attack Democrats and places associated with Democrats in an attempt to keep Donald Trump in power", we can read in this document.

Among the targets envisaged: the office of Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newson or the headquarters of Twitter and Facebook which have banned the former president from their networks.

World

Violence in Washington: Hundreds of indictments expected, charges of "sedition" considered

  • Terrorism

  • Extremism

  • United States

  • World