Extremists inspired by conspiracy theories pose major threat to 2024 elections, U.S. intelligence warns

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Oct. 28, 2024, 9:00 AM EDT


U.S. intelligence agencies have identified domestic extremists with grievances rooted in election-related conspiracy theories, including beliefs in widespread voter fraud and animosity toward perceived political opponents, as the most likely threat of violence in the coming election.

In a Joint Intelligence Bulletin that was not distributed publicly but was reviewed by NBC News, agents from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warn state and local law enforcement agencies that domestic violent extremists seeking to terrorize and disrupt the vote are a threat to the election and throughout Inauguration Day.

The report identified the potential targets as candidates, elected officials, election workers, members of the media and judges involved in election cases. The potential threats include physical attacks and violence at polling places, ballot drop boxes, voter registration locations and rallies and campaign events.

The October internal report was among several intelligence documents obtained through public records requests by Property of the People, a nonprofit group focused on government transparency. Federal agents regularly provide that type of threat assessment to state and local law enforcement agencies through formal bulletins. Before Jan. 6, 2021, they were more reluctant to distribute them because of concern that investigations of Americans might appear to violate free speech protections.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/election-threats-rcna177274

[Think. Again.]

1. Maybe these warnings shouldn't be kept so secret.

[TwilightZone]

2. If they have people and groups under surveillance and/or have infiltrated them...

they probably don't want to make that public.

That's how they took down the leadership of the Proud Boys, for example.

[Think. Again.]

5. I just think we need to start preventing the crimes...

...rather than letting the crimes happen.

[TwilightZone]

6. That's the idea behind infiltrating them.

Once you have actionable evidence, arrest them before they can carry out the plans.

FBI has been doing that with homegrown terrorist groups for decades.

[Think. Again.]

8. I know the fbi has been watching for years, but I rarely see any action being taken.

Yes, I realize they want to build evidence by allowing crimes to occur, but really, I think making more of a show of the fact these people ARE being so closely watched would probably deter more crime, and stop these people from following this path in the first place.

[slightlv]

9. They shouldn't be so obtuse... they should be distributed

far and wide and very loudly. But these people were cowed by Bush and Cheney when the last report they ever wrote (that I know of) was ripped to shreds. They've been cowed by republicans ever since. I think this whole damned country is going to have to be treated for PTSD after this election and before trump dies. I'd still like to see one humongous class action suit against him for all the pain and suffering he has inflicted on the American people... not to mention the world at large.

[Easterncedar]

3. US Intelligence is beginning to seem like an oxymoron

[underpants]

4. Drop box fires. Washington and Oregon.

I see those as creating “Hey, want to prove your loyalty?”

[TwilightZone]

7. Could be a lot of things.

Once they're radicalized, it wouldn't take group membership or affiliation to want to carry out something like this, especially with Trump in the equation. Just being part of the cult seems to be enough for many of them.

It would be helpful if he was affiliated with like-minded yahoos, though. Once they find and arrest him, they might be able to stop further attacks and remove some more domestic terrorists from circulation.