FBI and DHS warn of possible “follow-up or retaliatory attacks” after Trump’s assassination

CNN
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The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are concerned about the possibility of violent “follow-up or retaliatory attacks” in response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the authorities said in a joint intelligence bulletin obtained by CNN.

“Individuals in some online communities” have threatened or incited violence in response to assassination attempts, the FBI and DHS said in the July 15 bulletin distributed to federal, state and local authorities.

The assassination attempt on Trump “confirms our assessment that election-related targets face an increased threat” of attack or disruption, the documents say.

National security and law enforcement authorities have been in an uproar since Saturday after a gunman identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, hitting the former president in the ear and killing one bystander while seriously wounding two others.

The new intelligence bulletin does not mention a specific or credible threat of an attack. However, the document says, “We cannot rule out the possibility” that some domestic violent extremists or others may attempt further violence or retaliation in response to the attempted assassination of Trump.

Intelligence evaluations such as the Bulletin are routine after serious security incidents.

Politico was the first to report on the bulletin.

In addition, there is general concern among law enforcement that extremists will increase their attempts to disrupt or attack election-related infrastructure in the 2024 election cycle.

Domestic violent extremists “across all ideologies” are “likely” to view a wide range of election-related entities as “potential targets for violence,” the bulletin said.

“Lone actors” or domestic violent extremists “operating in small cells” are likely to continue to view public venues such as political rallies and campaign events as “attractive targets,” the bulletin added.

Tactics targeting election officials that are of concern to law enforcement include fake bomb threats, posting officials’ personal information online and so-called “swatting,” in which a caller files a fake police report to trigger a massive law enforcement response to the target’s residence.

“We remain concerned that the use of these tactics will increase,” the bulletin said.

The new threat assessment comes as the Republican National Convention continues in Milwaukee this week. The convention could be an “attractive” target for violent extremists seeking to create chaos by disrupting a high-profile political event, an earlier analysis by federal authorities said.

In a statement, the FBI said: “While it is our standard practice not to comment on specific intelligence products, including evaluating their credibility, the FBI regularly shares information with our law enforcement partners to help protect the communities they serve.”

A DHS spokesperson told CNN: “We continue to work with our partners to assess the threat, keep the American public informed, and protect our homeland.”

This story has been updated with additional details.