Evidence That Jan 6 Was Pre-Planned Released By Homeland Security

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An internal memo from the Department of Homeland Security outlines apparent pre-planning on the part of some of those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, showing the situation’s grave seriousness. The memo, which is dated April 8, lays out how the “tactics used by domestic violent extremists (DVEs) to assault law enforcement and security personnel and ultimately breach the US Capitol suggests that some of the participants engaged in pre-operational coordination and planning activities.” Some of those at the Capitol that day had weapons like bear spray and equipment like ladders and ropes, and the memo notes that — among other elements of the situation — the presence of these materials points to possible pre-planning of the violence.

According to The Daily Beast, the memo “highlights the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, two organized groups involved in the attack,” with federal prosecutors having now laid out how certain individuals involved with the Oath Keepers stashed weapons for the potential use of demonstrators. Other items also indicate preparations for violence — as the Homeland Security memo notes, extremists involved in the attack “used tactical radios, mobile devices, and encrypted applications to communicate securely during the breach, according to media reporting and a federal indictment,” while several “alleged leaders of the Proud Boys solicited donations for electronic equipment, purchased radios, and established an encrypted channel used by dozens of associates.” All of these factors point to a level of planning prior to the Capitol assault.

Infamously, flex cuffs were also observed among rioters during the violence, with the Homeland Security memo noting that “Flex cuffs and other restraints were observed during the event, suggesting preparation for detaining government personnel or perceived enemies.” The rioters made clear who their enemies were, targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), then-Vice President Mike Pence, and others. At one point, a portion of the crowd even chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” in reference to his perceived disloyalty to Trump. A gallows was even constructed outside of the Capitol amid the violence, and everyday passersby don’t simply have the materials to put such a thing together laying around.

As Ryan Shapiro, who serves as executive director of Property of the People, put it to The Daily Beast: “Heeding Trump’s call, fascist street gangs and allied militias coordinated extensively in advance of their January 6 attempted coup… And these same violent, far-right forces continue their crusade to destabilize American democracy even as we speak.”