QAnon ‘plotting’ a second raid on US Capitol Building

Conspiracy-embracing extremists believe March 4 is the day Donald Trump will be inaugurated for a second term.

The newly installed security fence at the base of Capitol Hill. Picture: AFP

Washington’s security posture has been bolstered after threats of a possible breach of the US Capitol, with the House of Representatives changing its voting plans to avoid gathering members on a day of potential unrest.

The warning was relayed on Thursday (AEDT) by US Capitol Police, who said it was prompted by intelligence about an unnamed militia group.

It follows online chatter from conspiracy-embracing extremists who believe March 4 is the day former president Donald Trump will return to Washington to be inaugurated for a ­second term.

The threat comes nearly two months after Trump supporters, including QAnon followers, stormed the Capitol building and laid siege to congress in an attack that left five people dead and shook the citadel of American democracy.

Some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe Mr Trump was cheated out of a second term and that Friday (AEDT) will mark his victorious return to power to confront a secret global cabal of Satanist liberals.

Members of the National Guard near the US Capitol Building in Washington. Picture: AFP

“We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4,” the US Capitol Police said.

“We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of congress, the public and our police officers,” the police force said, adding it was “taking the intelligence seriously”.

House officials told representatives that voting would no longer occur on Thursday, locals time. Two key bills on police reform and voting rights passed late on Wednesday. They were the final votes of the week.

In the Senate, the sergeant at arms emailed senators and staff outlining enhanced security measures, including extra personnel, in place at the Capitol.

Police have pointed to online discussions suggesting some in the QAnon movement see March 4 as a Trump inauguration day. Most US presidents were inaugurated on March 4 until 1933, when the date was changed to January 20.

What remains unclear is whether the threat remains mere online talk by extremists or will be converted into action with groups heading to Washington to stir up trouble.

On Monday, Acting US House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett reportedly sent a memo to members of congress advising them of potential protests surrounding March 4. He said in the memo, however, that the significance of the date “has reportedly declined among various groups in recent days” and violent protests were no longer anticipated.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security saw the threat as serious enough to issue a joint bulletin on Tuesday night warning of potential unrest on March 4 and March 6, DHS senior official Melissa Smislova testified to congress on Wednesday.

Razor wire near the US Capitol Building. Picture: AFP

Several conspiracy theorists had anticipated that the January 6 riot would block the ceremonial certification of Joe Biden as winner of the presidential election, and pave the way for Mr Trump to remain in power.

When that failed, QAnon followers — disseminating falsehoods and misinformation — began discussing March 4 as the next opportunity for Mr Trump’s return. There is zero evidence to suggest this will happen.

Nevertheless, one business entity in Washington appears keen on capitalising on the misinformation: the Trump Inter­national Hotel. Rates for rooms at the Trump-owned property are listed on its website at $US1331 ($1705) for Wednesday and Thursday night each, nearly triple the rate of $US476 posted for each day from Saturday through to the end of this month.

The National Guard, which was deployed to the Capitol hours after the riot, is still on the grounds as part of enhanced sec­urity. The FBI says cases of domestic extremism have increased substantially, particularly from groups or individuals espousing white supremacy.

AFP