Cybersecurity Expert Explains FBI Warning Of Armed Protests Before Inauguration

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 01/12/21 | News Source: WBAL TV

The FBI issued a memo warning about possible armed protests around the country leading up to the presidential inauguration.

WBAL-TV 11 News spoke with a cybersecurity expert who explained how local law enforcement agencies are responding.

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Cybersecurity and intelligence expert Bill Sieglein explained that the FBI puts out warnings all the time, but he said this nationwide warning is unusual and indicates a significant concern.

Five days after President Donald Trump's supporters rioted and stormed the U.S. Capitol, a new internal bulletin from the FBI warns of armed protests planned at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., leading up to the inauguration.

"You even see in the memo, they gathered intelligence from multiple agencies, not just the FBI,” Sieglein said.

Sieglein, who spent 17 years working with the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency, says the intelligence leading to the warning was likely gathered from what's considered open source.

"Which is primarily the internet, Google searches and social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where people just post and it's all very available, so they gathered that information and they have a database that tracks and links things that seem familiar,” he said.

"We are taking additional security measures here at the State House complex. Both the Capitol police and the Maryland State Police,” Gov. Larry Hogan said. Read more at WBALTV