US election: FBI warns of ‘conspiracy theory extremists’ as Trump takes crucial polling lead
So-called conspiracy theory extremists could move to disrupt next week’s US election, the FBI has warned.
In a “Joint Intelligence Bulletin”, both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have raised fears about violence as Americans head to the polls.
In the bulletin, the two offices have warned state and local law enforcement agencies across the US that domestic violent extremists are looking to terrorise the public and disrupt voting – both on November 5’s election day and on inauguration day on January 20.
Their report has also pointed to potential targets: candidates, elected officials, election workers, members of the media and judges involved in election cases.
While the threats could include physical attacks and violence at polling places, ballot boxes, voter registration locations, rallies and campaign events.
The report was unearthed by a government transparency campaign group called Property of the People – and has prompted an official statement from the DHS.
A spokeswoman for the department said: “The United States remains in a heightened, dynamic threat environment and we continue to share information with our law enforcement partners about the threats posed by domestic violent extremists in the context of the 2024 election.
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“Violence has no place in our politics, and DHS continues to work with our partners to evaluate and mitigate emerging threats that may arise from domestic or foreign actors.”
But the warnings came just hours before an early voting ballot box in Washington state was set alight in a suspected arson.
The FBI is investigating the blaze, local media have said – with politicians urging voters to check whether their ballots had gone through.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said: “I strongly denounce any acts of terror that aim to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state… Despite this incident, I have complete confidence in our county elections officials’ ability to keep Washington’s elections safe and secure for all voters.”
In Washington, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris enjoys a sturdy lead – but nationwide, the numbers make for nervous reading for the Vice President.
Polling aggregates across the US have tipped her Republican rival Donald Trump to return to the White House.
In simulations conducted by pollsters at FiveThirtyEight, Harris had been leading from early August to October 17.
But now, Trump has surged ahead, winning in 54 out of 100 election projections.