July 17th 2024.
The recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has caused concern among national security and law enforcement officials. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint intelligence bulletin stating that there is a potential for violent retaliatory attacks from individuals in online communities. This bulletin, dated July 15, was distributed to federal, state, and local officials.
According to the bulletin, the attempted assassination has heightened the threat to election-related targets. The FBI and DHS believe that there is a possibility of domestic violent extremists or other individuals attempting follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence in response to the incident. However, the bulletin does not identify any specific or credible threat.
It is routine for intelligence assessments to be conducted after major security incidents, and this is no exception. The document was first reported by Politico and serves as a warning to law enforcement officials about potential disruptions or attacks on election-related infrastructure during the 2024 election cycle.
The bulletin also highlights the likelihood of domestic violent extremists viewing a wide range of entities associated with elections as viable targets for violence. These extremists, whether acting alone or in small cells, may target political rallies and campaign events, which are often publicly accessible locations.
Law enforcement is concerned about a number of tactics that could be used to disrupt election officials, including hoax bomb threats, leaking personal information online, and "swatting," where a false crime report is made to trigger a large law enforcement response. The bulletin states that there is a fear that these tactics will increase in the future.
As the Republican National Convention continues in Milwaukee this week, federal agencies have warned that it could be an attractive target for violent extremists. The FBI and DHS are working with their partners to evaluate the threat environment and protect the American public.
In response to the leaked intelligence bulletin, the FBI and DHS have released statements emphasizing their commitment to sharing information with law enforcement partners and protecting the communities they serve. While they do not usually comment on the veracity of specific intelligence products, they are continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public.
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