Internal memos from the FBI, revealed by Director Kash Patel, outline the agency's preparations for potential violence surrounding the disputed 2020 presidential election. These documents show that the FBI had significant concerns about domestic and foreign threats leading to violence in the U. S. after the election.
1. Preparedness Exercises: In summer 2020, the FBI conducted a tabletop exercise to foresee and plan for possible violence related to the presidential election. This included strategies involving undercover informants and stringent prosecutions for minor offenses, later applied during the January 6 Capitol riot.
2. Threat Assessments: Memos indicated that the FBI's Boston office identified growing domestic violent extremist (DVE) threats as the election approached. They noted that election-related violence could involve threats against candidates and events, alongside civil unrest emanating from both left- and right-wing extremists.
3. Foreign Interference Concerns: The documents warned that foreign actors, particularly from Iran and China, might instigate domestic violence should the election results be disputed. The FBI believed these nations aimed to undermine U. S. democratic processes, contrary to claims by some advocacy groups dismissing foreign election interference as conspiracy theories.
4. Failed Alerts Before January 6: Despite recognizing these threats, the memos suggest that the FBI did not appropriately notify relevant authorities, particularly the Capitol Police, about the significant risk of violence prior to the January 6 riot. Rep. Barry Loudermilk criticized the agency for not taking preventive measures.
5. Use of Informants: Investigations indicated that several FBI informants were present during the January 6 events, and the agency deployed over 250 agents to manage the situation. The extensive prosecutions following the riot, sometimes for minor acts, contributed to rising concerns about domestic extremism, leading to expanded federal surveillance and law enforcement measures.
6. Response to January 6: Following the incident, the Biden administration published a "National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism" which referenced earlier FBI concerns regarding domestic extremists as heightened due to events like the Capitol riot.
The FBI's memos indicate a well-documented awareness of potential violent upheaval stemming from the 2020 presidential election. This awareness raises questions about the agency's actions and preparedness, especially its failure to act on the predictions outlined in the documents. The revelations highlight ongoing tensions in U. S. politics concerning election integrity and domestic extremism.
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