During a briefing to Vice President Mike Pence with other agency officials at FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 2021, FBI Director Christopher Wray discussed the FBI’s efforts regarding inauguration security.
While the Secret Service takes the lead in inaugural security, the FBI is the lead federal agency for crisis response, for counterterrorism investigations, and intelligence analysis. At the FBI, they set up a national command post at FBI Headquarters as well as a command post in the Washington Field, along with command posts in all 56 of their field offices.
FBI Director Christopher Wray gave advice to people who might be inclined to follow in the footsteps of those who engaged in violence at the U.S. Capital, “Stay home.”
Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 made their way to the grounds of the Capitol—and many then breached the building itself, with some breaking windows and even entering the congressional chambers as elected officials were forced to shelter in place or were ushered to secure quarters.
“Look at what’s happening now to the people who were involved in the Capitol siege,” said Wray. “Wherever they scattered to—whether it was Memphis, Phoenix, Dallas, Honolulu—what they’re finding is that we’ve got FBI agents tracking them down and arresting them. If I were those people, you don’t want to be the ones to have FBI agents knocking on your door at 6:00 a.m. So anybody who plots or attempts violence in the coming week should count on a visit.”
Five people died in the attack, including U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick and Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by police during the riots.
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-CNJ staff