On Monday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of a joint Public Service Announcement issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warning of copycat vehicle ramming attacks following the New Year's Day incident in New Orleans.
"The FBI and DHS are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremists. Previous individuals inspired by foreign terrorist organizations who have conducted vehicle attacks in the United States and abroad have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles, which are easy to acquire. Some have used additional weapons, such as firearms and knives, to attack individuals after the vehicle has stopped. Additionally, attackers may attempt to conceal and pre-position improvised explosive devices to supplement a vehicle attack. Targets have included pedestrians, law enforcement or military members, and crowded public venues, including festivals and commercial centers, which generally are accessible from roadways.
The FBI and DHS ask the public to remain vigilant.
Presidential Inauguration Moved Indoors
On Friday afternoon, the Capitol Hill Police announced that the Inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday, January 20th, would no longer take place outside of the building, but inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
“At the request of the President-elect and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the 60th Inauguration will be held inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The ticketed areas outside, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, will now be closed to ticketed guests on Monday, January 20, due to the extremely cold weather that is expected in Washington, D.C. The United States Capitol Police, along with law enforcement partners, will still have a heightened security posture with an increased law enforcement presence and layers of physical security."
The last time a presidential inauguration was held indoors was 1985 at the swearing in of Ronald Reagan for his second term. Then, as now, the move was made due to dangerously cold weather.
In a post on Truth Social, president-elect Trump told supporters that instead of standing outside, attendees should go to Capital One Arena for a live viewing. After being sworn in at the Capitol, Trump says he will head to the arena for the Presidential Parade and to celebrate with attendees.
Related? DJI Drops Geofencing for Restricted Airspace
While there have been no public statements from security agencies, readers may find it interesting that the inauguration venue change was preceded by an announcement from the Chinese drone manufacturer DJI that they were eliminating the automatic geofencing feature in their software. This capability prevented operators from flying over airport runways, military installations, power plants, public emergency sites, and other restricted areas, such as the White House complex. Now, a simple warning pops up with FAA data which is easily dismissed by the operator.
Curious timing...
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
