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The U.S. House of Representatives canceled Thursday’s session after Capitol police warned Wednesday that there could be plans by a paramilitary group to storm the building, a threat that brings to mind scenes of the Jan. 6 attack.
The House of Representatives was expected to debate a bill on law enforcement reform. But an aide to a Democratic lawmaker said the plans differed from a police warning based on intelligence data that “an unidentified paramilitary group” could pose a security threat.
Authorities have said right-wing extremists were part of a mob of supporters of former President Trump who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, disrupting a session to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.
Thursday is the day when supporters of right-wing conspiracy theories say former President Trump, who was defeated in the Nov. 3 election by Joe Biden, will take the oath of office for a second term.
The Justice Department has filed charges against more than 300 people for taking part in the January attack that left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. Among those arrested are members of the far-right Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, and Proud Boys. Oath Keepers and Three Percenters are paramilitary organizations.
“Capitol police are aware of and prepared for any possible threat to members of Congress and the building itself,” a statement said.
Capitol police said they were working with local, state and federal agencies “to curb any threat to the Capitol,” adding, “We are taking intelligence seriously.” There are no other details about the threat.
The police statement notes that the department has already made “significant security improvements” at the Capitol, home to the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is not clear whether the latest improvements were made in response to the latest threat or are measures taken after the January 6 riots.
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