Federal officials warned on Friday that domestic violent extremists pose a great threat to 2022 midterm electionsin a joint intelligence assessment sent to state and local officials and obtained by CNN.
A bulletin released by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the US Capitol Police and the National Counterterrorism Center said perceptions of voter fraud are likely to increase threats of violence.
Bulletin did not list any specific real threat.
“After the 2022 midterm elections, perceptions of electoral fraud and dissatisfaction with the election results are likely to lead to increased threats of violence against a wide range of targets, including ideological opponents and poll participants,” the bulletin, quoted by CNN, states.
Persistent perceptions of voter fraud associated with the 2020 general election continue to contribute to radicalization of some violent extremists and is likely to “raise their sensitivity to any new claims that are taken as confirmation of their belief that US elections are corrupt,” according to the assessment.
The joint federal review comes as polling officials become increasingly concerned about physical threats to themselves and voting infrastructure, and foreign actors seek to widen divisions in the United States.
“According to our estimates, perceptions and reactions to electoral fraud [extremistas violentas domésticas] to contentious issues is likely to fuel a sporadic conspiracy [extremista violenta doméstica] violence and broader efforts to justify violence leading up to and after the 2022 midterm election cycle,” the newsletter said.
“The midterm elections are taking place at a time when the country is going through what has been described as the most volatile, complex and dynamic threat environment in recent memory,” the former U.S. intelligence chief told CNN. John Cohen. “Communities across the country continue to face mass casualty attacks and other acts of violence perpetrated by people inspired by conspiracy theories.”
Law enforcement agencies across the country are identifying threats to election officials, such as voter intimidation, vandalism of ballot boxes, and the possibility of people visiting polling stations and questioning the legitimacy of voters. who continues to work with state and local law enforcement.
– Men in balaclavas guard ballot boxes with guns and bulletproof vests during a vote in Arizona.
– Democratic campaign office robbed in Arizona, suspect arrested by police.
– Election 2022: Cochise County in Arizona counts votes manually despite warnings.