FBI fears more 'armed protests' in US state capitols

The FBI has warned of alleged plans to storm all 50 state capitols and the US Capitol in Washington in the leadup to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, media reported overnight Tuesday.

The news comes as security measures are being stepped up ahead of Inauguration Day on January 20 as law enforcement prepares for the possibility of further violence after the storming of the US Capitol last week by rioters.

"Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January," an FBI bulletin cited by CNN stated..

"On 8 January, the FBI received information on an identified group calling for others to join them in 'storming' state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event POTUS is removed as President prior to Inauguration Day. This identified group is also planning to 'storm' government offices including in the District of Columbia and in every state, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump, on 20 January," the bulletin adds.

House Democrats said a vote to impeach the president will happen on Wednesday on the grounds that President Trump is guilty of "incitement of insurrection". They said that the vote will be held unless Vice-President Mike Pence invokes constitutional powers to remove Trump from office. There is no sign Pence will do so.

The FBI is also tracking reports of "various threats to harm President-Elect Biden ahead of the presidential inauguration," the bulletin states. "Additional reports indicate threats against VP-Elect (Kamala) Harris and Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi."

More than 10,000 National Guard troops will be in the capital by the weekend to safeguard the inauguration, with about 5,000 more available if requested, Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel Hokanson said.