US 'QAnon' Plots to Infiltrate Biden Inauguration Disguised as National Guard

FBI Issues Secret Warning to Law Enforcement Agencies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] It has been reported that far-right extremists have been discussing plans to infiltrate the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden by disguising themselves as National Guard members.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 19th (local time) that the FBI has identified that far-right extremists, including the conspiracy theory group 'QAnon,' have been seeking ways to infiltrate President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony by posing as National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C.

The WP cited an intelligence report it obtained, stating that the FBI secretly warned law enforcement agencies about this. The document, summarizing the 'threats' revealed by the FBI during an intelligence briefing on the 18th, included information that QAnon followers and 'lone wolves' (self-radicalized terrorists) planned to attend Biden's inauguration on the 20th. Some of these individuals are reported to have participated in the Capitol riot on January 6th.

The WP described these movements as signs of potential attempts to disrupt Biden's inauguration.

The FBI reportedly mentioned in the briefing that QAnon-affiliated individuals have shown interest in infiltrating security checkpoints during the inauguration. The related report stated, "QAnon members have discussed disguising themselves as National Guard soldiers to easily breach secure areas," and "They have even collected images online to monitor barricade zones." Accordingly, a defense official said that the National Guard has been instructed to closely monitor individuals who appear to be 'fake National Guard' members.

The FBI refrained from commenting on the credibility and severity of these 'threats' conveyed to law enforcement before the inauguration. Earlier, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that the agency is monitoring a wide range of concerning rumors circulating online.