Milwaukee Republican Convention Could Be ‘Attractive’ Target for Violent Extremists, Federal Assessment Says

CNN
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The Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee could be an “attractive” target for violent extremists or others seeking to sow chaos by disrupting a large-scale political event, according to a threat assessment by federal agencies and the Milwaukee Police Department obtained by CNN.

This election season has seen a “resurgence of disruptive tactics targeting election symbols” that are likely intended to “instill fear and disrupt operations in critical election-related infrastructure,” according to the assessment. The report was prepared by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Wisconsin state and local law enforcement officials. Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis distributed the assessment to federal, state, and local officials in recent days.

There are “no credible reports indicating a threat” to the Republican National Convention, but “violent threat actors” may view the convention “as an attractive target due to its symbolic nature and connection to the 2024 general election,” the threat assessment, dated July 2, said.

One of the “disruptive tactics” that has law enforcement concerned is “swatting,” in which a caller makes a false crime report in order to trigger a mass police raid on the target’s home. Since December, there have been at least four incidents of “swatting” targeting the homes of election officials, CNN reported.

The Republican National Convention, which runs from July 15 to 18, is expected to draw some 50,000 people, with Republicans nominating Donald Trump as their presidential candidate. It comes amid sharp partisan divisions and simmering tensions among Americans, including over President Joe Biden’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas.

“DHS and the FBI remain concerned about the potential for violent conflict at otherwise lawful protest events or gatherings related to the 2024 NCR,” the threat assessment said.

Security concerns are also expected, with a heavy police presence expected around the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

The Republican convention, like other major political events, is an opportunity for foreign intelligence services to gather information about political positions or people with “perceived access” to political campaigns, the threat assessment said.

Large-scale political events like the convention “also remain attractive targets” for foreign terrorists or domestic violent extremists seeking to draw attention to their ideological causes, the assessment said. U.S. officials are increasingly concerned that an ISIS affiliate could carry out an attack on American soil, CNN reported last month.

“While our standard practice is not to comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI routinely shares information with our law enforcement partners to help protect the communities they serve,” the FBI said in a statement to CNN. “The FBI encourages members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”

The Secret Service referred questions about the threat assessment to DHS.

CNN has also reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department for comment.

Federal, state and local law enforcement officials spent months preparing for the Republican convention, identifying potential threats and tracking investigative leads. In February, according to the threat assessment, “an unidentified individual” was seen “recording/photographing” a delivery at a loading dock outside Fiserv Forum, the convention’s primary venue. The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating the incident, according to the assessment.

Last month, the Secret Service outlined security measures for the convention, including a perimeter that will prevent protesters from gathering in a large park near the convention site. The announcement comes after a months-long dispute between the Secret Service and the Republican Party over security measures around the convention. The party had accused the agency of ignoring its concerns, while the Secret Service said Republicans were undermining efforts to keep the event safe.

Law enforcement around the congress is also on alert for suspicious package mailings, arson, destruction of property and online disclosure of government officials’ private information, according to the threat assessment.

Election offices in several states have reported receiving suspicious packages in connection with the November 2023 congressional and gubernatorial elections.

“We also remain concerned about the potential for hoax threats to disrupt the 2024 RNC, leading to evacuations and closures of political events, and straining law enforcement resources,” the document said.

The massive influx of out-of-state visitors could also be a boon for sex traffickers, authorities warned.

“The FBI anticipates that victims will arrive in Wisconsin and advertise online or at locations known to offer sexual services in the weeks leading up to the events,” the assessment said.