DHS issues federal alert for the first time in a year to warn of heightened domestic terrorist threat in the weeks following the inauguration from 'extremists' who have been 'fueled by false narratives'

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a federal alert for the first time in a year to warn of a heightened domestic terrorist threat in the weeks following President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske issued the threat bulletin Wednesday citing increased risk of domestic terrorism from 'ideologically-motivated extremists' who have been 'fueled by false narratives'. 

It warned lawmakers and government buildings, the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors, and ethnic minority groups are among those at most risk of being targeted, while citing COVID-19 conspiracy theories as one motivator behind potential terrorist attacks. 

The agency did not detail any specific terrorist plots or threats or if certain parts of the US are at greater risk of attack. 

The warning comes in the wake of the riot at the US Capitol that left five dead - including a Capitol cop who was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher - after Donald Trump supporters stormed the building, sending lawmakers fleeing for their lives. 

DC police announced Tuesday that a second cop who worked to defend the seat of American democracy from the mob on January 6 committed suicide in the days that followed.    

Across the sea of MAGA mob rioters that day, paraphernalia and flags promoting several far-right extremist groups including white supremacists, neo-Nazis and Proud Boys were clearly visible. 

Others rioters spewed the QAnon conspiracy theory - the debunked extreme right wing theory that claims Satan-worshipping pedophiles are plotting against Donald Trump and are running a global child sex trafficking ring.     

Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul D Irving and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael C Stenger all resigned after the riot and the acting Capitol Police chief this week admitted the agency was completely unprepared for the riot despite knowing there was a 'strong potential for violence' days before.   

More than 25,000 National Guard troops were drafted in from all 50 states and a Baghdad-style 'Green Zone' perimeter was set up in the heart of DC to prevent a repeat attack on inauguration day.

While the day passed without significant issue, army officials have confirmed more than 5,000 National Guard troops will remain in Washington DC through mid-March amid concerns that the threat of domestic violent extremism will linger for some time. 

Just over 48 hours after Biden took office, the White House announced he had directed law enforcement and intelligence officials to carry out a 'comprehensive threat assessment' on the growing threat of extremism on US soil.  

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a federal alert for the first time in a year to warn of a heightened domestic terrorist threat in the weeks following the President Joe Biden's inauguration. Pictured the January 6 Capitol riot

The warning comes in the wake of the riot at the US Capitol that left five dead - including a Capitol cop who was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher - after Donald Trump supporters stormed the building, sending lawmakers fleeing for their lives 

The DHS' threat warning cited people who harbor anti-government views, are unhappy with the White House transition or are motivated by false narratives as a particular threat. 

'The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin due to a heightened threat environment across the United States, which DHS believes will persist in the weeks following the successful Presidential Inauguration,' the department said in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin.

'Information suggests that some ideologically motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence.' 

There was no information on a specific credible plot or of specific states or areas at most risk of attack.

However, the warning of the dangers of 'false narratives' comes after Trump pushed unfounded claims of widespread election fraud when he lost the White House race.

He continued to refuse to concede and insisted the election was 'stolen' from him - despite dozens of courts finding no merits for lawsuits, several recounts coming up with the same outcome and his own administration saying the election was fair and legal. 

The warning cited lawmakers and government buildings, the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors, and ethnic minority groups among those at most risk of being targeted

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske issued the threat bulletin Wednesday citing increased risk of domestic terrorism from 'ideologically-motivated extremists' who have been 'fueled by false narratives'

President Biden orders review of domestic terrorist threats 

Just over 48 hours after Biden took office, he had directed law enforcement and intelligence officials to carry out a 'comprehensive threat assessment' on the growing threat of extremism on US soil. 

The White House announced Friday the review coordinated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

It will be used as a foundation to develop policy, the White House said. 

The National Security Council will do its own policy review to see how information about the problem can be better shared across the government.   

'The January 6 assault on the Capitol and the tragic deaths and destruction that occurred underscored what we all know: The rise of domestic violent extremism is a serious and growing national security threat,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said when announcing the review.

MAGA supporters were then egged on by Trump to 'fight' the election result in a rally just moments before the mob stormed the Capitol in the violent insurrection back on January 6.  

The DHS advisory outlined details of potential threats saying that, over the course of the last year, extremists had targeted people while they were exercising their First Amendment rights to protest peacefully.

'Throughout 2020, Domestic Violent Extremists targeted individuals with opposing views engaged in First Amendment-protected, non-violent protest activity,' it read. 

It also said DVEs were motivated by issues including anger over COVID-19 restrictions and police use of force.

'DVEs motivated by a range of issues, including anger over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results, and police use of force have plotted and on occasion carried out attacks against government facilities,' it said. 

The advisory also cited 'long-standing racial and ethnic tension-including opposition to immigration' as drivers of domestic violence attacks, such as the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, where a gunman killed 23 people.

The agency said some DVEs will be 'emboldened' to target lawmakers and government buildings as well as critical infrastructure, including the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors. 

Conspiracy theories about COVID-19 were also cited as another driver for violent extremism. 

'DHS is concerned these same drivers to violence will remain through early 2021 and some DVEs may be emboldened by the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. to target elected officials and government facilities,' the advisory said.    

National Guard members outside Capitol Hill on Tuesday as more than 5,000 stay behind to defend DC 

A total of 5,000 will continue supporting Capitol Police, 500 will support the US Park Police, 550 the Metropolitan Police Department and 600 the US Secret Service as threats continue after inauguration day  

'Threats of violence against critical infrastructure, including the electric, telecommunications and healthcare sectors, increased in 2020 with violent extremists citing misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 for their actions.' 

The agency warned that so called Homegrown Violent Extremists are being 'inspired' by foreign terrorist groups, 'who committed three attacks targeting government officials in 2020'. 

The DHS said it is concerned such threats will continue through early 2021.   

The last time the federal alert system was used to send a threat warning to the public was a year ago, when it issued a bulletin warning of potential retaliation by Iran for the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq on January 3 ordered by then-President Trump and Iran vowed 'severe revenge' for those behind the attack.

Before that, the last time the bulletin was issued was for a warning about foreign terrorist groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda. 

This is the first time in years that the threat is related to potential home grown insurgents.   

Washington DC went into lockdown and several blocks around the Capitol were cordoned off to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen on January 6

Much of the security apparatus around Washington set up after the riot and ahead of Biden's inauguration is no longer in place. Anti-climb steel fencing erected around the Capitol building, however, remains in place

Capitol Police admits it was completely unprepared for MAGA riots

The head of the Capitol Police apologized to Congress for stunning security failures during the MAGA riots on January 6 and acknowledged that the agency had been forewarned of a 'strong potential for violence' but failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.  

Acting Chief Yogananda D Pittman made the extraordinary admissions in a statement before the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, nearly three weeks after a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol in a bid to block the certification of Joe Biden's election victory.  

'On January 6th, in the face of a terrorist attack by tens of thousands of insurrectionists determined to stop the certification of Electoral College votes, the Department failed to meet its own high standards as well as yours,' Pittman told the committee, which oversees funding for USCP, in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 

'Although the Department fulfilled its mission of protecting Members and democracy ultimately prevailed, the insurrectionists' actions and the Department's inability to immediately secure the U.S. Capitol emboldened the insurrectionists and horrified millions of Americans.'  

'Let me be clear: the Department should have been more prepared for this attack,' she continued. 'By January 4th, the Department knew that the January 6th event would not be like any of the previous protests held in 2020. 

'We knew that militia groups and white supremacists organizations would be attending. We also knew that some of these participants were intending to bring firearms and other weapons to the event. We knew that there was a strong potential for violence and that Congress was the target.' 

'The Department prepared in order to meet these challenges, but we did not do enough.' 

Pittman confirmed for the first time that the Capitol Police Board had denied a January 4 request from Sund to declare a state of emergency and authorize the deployment of National Guard troops for support. 

Once the violence began to unfold, the Board delayed sending in troops for an hour after receiving a second request from Sund.  

Describing the few preparations that were made beforehand, Pittman said the USCP required all available officers to be on call, activated its SWAT team and increased the number of Civil Disturbance Units scheduled to work that day. 

But she said the more than 1,200 officers stationed at the Capitol were 'no match for the tens of thousands of insurrectionists (many armed) attacking the Capitol and refusing to comply with lawful orders'.  

With the ongoing threat of attack, around one fifth of the National Guard troops drafted in to protect the Capitol in the aftermath of the MAGA mob riot are staying in DC until at least mid-March while Biden has launched a review into domestic terrorism on US soil.   

Army officials announced Monday that 7,000 troops will stay until the end of this week and 5,600 to mid-March.

A total of 5,000 will continue supporting Capitol Police, 500 will support the US Park Police, 550 the Metropolitan Police Department and 600 the US Secret Service. 

'There are several upcoming events - we don't know what they are - over the next several weeks, and they're concerned that there could be situations where there are lawful protests, First Amendment-protected protests, that could either be used by malicious actors, or other problems that could emerge,' acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley said in a press briefing.  

Nearly 26,000 troops from all 50 states poured into DC ahead of Biden's inauguration in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting.  

The city was plunged into lockdown and several blocks around the Capitol were  cordoned off to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen on January 6.   

The Secret Service restricted access plan included a 'Green Zone' - the same name given to the heavily-fortified area in Baghdad during the Iraq War drawing parallels to the high-security zone in Iraq.  

Much of the security apparatus around Washington set up after the riot and ahead of Biden's inauguration has since been taken down but anti-climb steel fencing remains in place around the Capitol building.  

Not all lawmakers believe there is a need for the ongoing heightened security, with Republican Senator Tom Cotton saying Wednesday there is no justifiable reason for National Guard members to remain in DC.

'With the inauguration complete and threats receding, now it's time, yes, to send home the troops,' Cotton, a retired Army captain, wrote in an op/ed published to Fox News.  

'I sit on the Intelligence Committee, but I'm aware of no specific, credible threat reporting - as distinguished from aspirational, uncoordinated bluster on the internet - that justifies this continued troop presence,' Cotton continued.

'Thus, I believe the rest of these soldiers should also go home to their families and civilian jobs.'

His public opposition to the continued military presence in the nation's capital comes as 11 GOP congressmen and women demanded their troops return to their respective states. 

But the concerns of lingering domestic violent extremism has gone to the highest levels, with Biden ordering a study of threats on his second full day in office. 

The White House announced Friday Biden had launched a 'comprehensive threat assessment' of domestic violent extremism coordinated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

The review will be used as a foundation to develop policy, the White House said. 

The National Security Council will do its own policy review to see how information about the problem can be better shared across the government.   

'The January 6 assault on the Capitol and the tragic deaths and destruction that occurred underscored what we all know: The rise of domestic violent extremism is a serious and growing national security threat,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said when announcing the review.

She told reporters 'more needs to be done' - a sentiment echoed by the Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff who said it was 'critical' the new administration tackles the threat of extremism on home soil.

Proud Boys making the okay sign, now regarded as a white supremist symbol, and holding Trump 2020 and the Gadsden flags just before the riot at the US Capitol

A rioter wears a 'Camp Auschwitz' sweater inside the Capitol building as it was stormed by pro-Trump rioters 

'In particular, far-right, white supremacist extremism, nurtured on online platforms, has become one of the most dangerous threats to our nation,' Schiff said.  

Counter-terrorism experts including retired Army General Stanley McChrystal warned in the days that followed the January 6 riot that violent extremist movements are on the rise in the US.  

McChrystal, the former commander of American troops in Afghanistan, compared the MAGA riot to the evolution of Al-Qaeda saying in both instances people followed a 'powerful leader' who 'justified their violence', as he warned America is headed for a homegrown insurgency in an interview with Yahoo News.  

He said there are terrifying parallels between the birth of the terrorist group responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks and the violent siege on the US Capitol last week that left five dead and sent shockwaves around the world.  

'I did see a similar dynamic in the evolution of al-Qaida in Iraq, where a whole generation of angry Arab youth with very poor prospects followed a powerful leader who promised to take them back in time to a better place, and he led them to embrace an ideology that justified their violence,' McChrystal said. 

'This is now happening in America.' 

He warned that the problem is already much deeper than people realize: 'I think we're much further along in this radicalization process, and facing a much deeper problem as a country, than most Americans realize.' 

Washington DC police officer committed suicide nine days after responding to Capitol riot and nearly 140 officers were injured in siege where one cop was stabbed with a metal fence stake and another will lose his EYE 

A Washington DC police officer who responded to the January 6 Capitol siege committed suicide days later, the force's police chief has revealed.

Jeffery Smith, a 12-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department, died on January 15, nine days after the violent insurrection where a Donald Trump-inspired mob stormed the US Capitol building.

Smith was assigned to patrol the 2nd District, which includes the neighborhoods of Chevy Chase and Georgetown, the Metropolitan Police Department shared with DailyMail.com. 

He's the second police officer who was present at the Capitol on January 6 to take their own life. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, a 15-year veteran of the force, died on January 9.

In the riot five people died, including Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was injured in the clashes with protesters.

Acting DC Police chief Robert J. Contee III revealed for the first time that Smith had committed suicide on Tuesday during his opening statement before a closed session of the House Appropriations Committee.

Washington DC police officer Jeffery Smith died by suicide on January 15, nine days after he responded to the January 6 Capitol siege, it has been revealed. A view of the pro-Trump mob that stormed the US Capitol on January 6 above 

Acting DC Police chief Robert J. Contee III revealed for the first time that Smith had committed suicide on Tuesday during his opening statement before a closed session of the House Appropriations Committee. Contee pictured above January 4

'Tragically, two officers who were at the Capitol on January 6th, one each from the Capitol Police and MPD, took their own lives in the aftermath of that battle. We honor the service and sacrifices of Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood, and Jeffery Smith, and offer condolences to all the grieving families,' Contee said. 

'The costs for this insurrection – both human and monetary – will be steep,' he added, describing January 6 as a 'dark day for our country.' 

Metropolitan Police Department declined to offer further comment on Smith's passing. 

Liebengood, 51, who went by 'Howie,' had been an officer guarding the Capitol since 2005. A spokesman for the family confirmed that he had died by suicide and was on duty during the Capitol siege.

'His death is a tragedy that has deprived all of us a dedicated public servant,' Barry Pollack, a lawyer representing the Liebengood family said to the Post. 'His family has suffered a devastating loss and asks that they be given space to grieve in private.'

He is survived by his wife and siblings.

Contee was one of several witnesses to speak before the committee in what's likely to be a long series of inquiries into the riot.

California Congressman Ted Lieu offered condolences for the family of Officer Jeffery Smith after it was revealed he committed suicide following the riot

California Rep. Jimmy Panetta also offered a tribute to Officer Smith

Smith is the second police officer who was present at the Capitol on January 6 to take their own life. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood , a 15-year veteran of the force, died on January 9

Liebengood (right in 2008) had been with the UCSP since April 2005 and was assigned to the Senate Division

He revealed DC police sent about 850 officers, nearly one quarter of its force, to help to take back the Capitol after a MAGA mob swarmed into the building.

Brian Sicknick , died on January 7 from injuries sustained during the Capitol riot on January 6

The DC Police Department estimated it cost the District $8.8million to secure the downtown during the week the riot took place and took up to eight hours to clear the building on January 6.

In his testimony Contee said 65 DC police officers sustained injuries that have been documented in injury reports.

He said 'many more sustained injuries from the assault - scratches, bruises, eyes burning from bear mace – that they did not even bother to report.' 

On Wednesday the Capitol Police Union released a scathing statement voicing their outrage after Acting Chief Pittman Yogananda D. Pittman testified before Congress Tuesday and revealed the department failed to act on intelligence warning of violence at the Capitol on January 6.

On Wednesday the Capitol Police Union released a scathing statement voicing their outrage after Acting Chief Pittman Yogananda D. Pittman testified before Congress Tuesday and revealed the department failed to act on intelligence warning of violence at the Capitol on January 6

On Wednesday the Capitol Police Union released a statement saying between Metro Police and Capitol Police nearly 140 officers were injured in the January 6 siege

Acting Police Chief Pittman apologized before lawmakers Tuesday, acknowledging that the department knew there was 'strong potential for violence' but failed to prevent the siege, which she described as a 'terrorist attack'

Pittman apologized before lawmakers Tuesday, acknowledging that the department knew there was 'strong potential for violence' but failed to prevent the siege, which she described as a 'terrorist attack'.

The union responded saying: 'This is a startling admission by Acting Chief Pittman, and a disclosure that has angered and shocked the rank-and-file officers of the Capitol Police.'

Union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou slammed the lack of preparation as 'unconscionable', saying it resulted in nearly 140 injuries and the death of two officers. 

'We have one officer who lost his life as a direct result of the insurrection. Another officer has tragically taken his own life,' he said.

The Capitol Police Union released a scathing statement voicing their outrage after Acting Chief Pittman Yogananda D. Pittman testified before Congress Tuesday and revealed the department failed to act on intelligence warning of violence at the Capitol on January 6

A view of Pro-Trump protesters clashing with police officers during the January 6 insurrection

'Between USCP and our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Department, we have almost 140 officers injured. I have officers who were not issued helmets prior to the attack who have sustained brain injuries. One officer has two cracked ribs and two smashed spinal discs. One officer is going to lose his eye, and another was stabbed with a metal fence stake,' he explained.

In Pittman's statement she said the department knew that militia groups and white supremacists would be attending and were intending to bring weapons.

'The fact they did not relay this information to the officers on duty prior to the insurrection is inexcusable,' Papathanasiou said. 

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (tel:18002738255). Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)