The US House of Representatives has canceled a meeting scheduled for Thursday in the Capitol due to security concerns. The report »Washington Post« and the Reuters news agency.
Security authorities had previously warned of a possible attack by extremists, almost two months after the attack by radical supporters of Donald Trump. A vote planned for the meeting was brought forward to Wednesday evening, according to reports from the Washington Post.
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“We have received intelligence that shows possible plans of an identified militia to break into the Capitol on Thursday, March 4th,” the Capitol police in Washington had previously announced. One is prepared for possible threats “against members of Congress or against the Capitol complex.” A Senate meeting for Thursday has not yet been canceled.
Historical meaning
March 4th has historical significance in the United States. Until 1933, US presidents took their oath of office in front of the Capitol in Washington on that day. The date was then set for January 20th. As the “Washington Post” reports, the right-wing extremists are said to have chosen March 4th as the “true day of inauguration”. Accordingly, the former President Trump is to be sworn in for his second term.
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Fears of new violence on March 4th have been around for weeks. Most recently, the Capitol Police announced on Tuesday that security precautions were tightened and the number of forces deployed was increased for Thursday. Reason are “worrying information and intelligence knowledge”.
Supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol on January 6th. On that day, Parliament should finally confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election on November 3rd. Members of several right-wing extremist groups, such as Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, were involved in the attack, which left several dead.
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