FBI Reports 'Credible Threats' In MN Ahead Of Jan. 17 Rally

TWIN CITIES, MN — The FBI believes there are credible threats of violence related to an upcoming Jan. 17 rally planned at the Minnesota State Capitol. FBI officials in Minneapolis say the Boogaloo Bois movement is behind those threats.

An FBI document obtained by Yahoo News states that "some followers" of the movement "indicated willingness to commit violence in support of their ideology, created contingency plans in the event violence occurred at the events, and identified law enforcement security measures and possible countermeasures."

The report also states that local members attended protests at the Minnesota Capitol in December "to perform reconnaissance to identify escape points and defensible positions in the event violence occurred" on Jan. 17.

The members "scouted general law enforcement presence" and "identified law enforcement sniper locations and considered breaking into federal buildings for use as firing locations, if fighting occurred."

The same report mentioned possible threats to the Michigan State Capitol. The FBI report was issued Dec. 29, 2020, ahead of Wednesday's deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

State officials say they will increase security around the Minnesota Capitol following the riots in Washington, D.C.

"In addition to the fence around the Minnesota Capitol that has been in place since last summer, the State Patrol has increased its presence to respond to various threats and prevent unlawful entry into the building," Bruce Gordon of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety told Patch in an email.

"We are aware of the national reports of potential insurrection and are tracking possible protest activity as we stand ready to guard the Capitol and protect state employees from harm. We will continue to enhance our response and change tactics as needed. We have been working in partnership with St. Paul Police, Ramsey County Sheriff and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers."

Gordon added that "Minnesota’s State Capitol has been and continues to be a safe place to conduct the important work of our state. While we support Minnesotans’ First Amendment rights to peacefully protest, anyone involved in illegal activity will be held accountable."

In an email to Patch, Lieutenant Colonel Scott Hawks of the Minnesota National Guard said they are aware of the FBI report and are prepared to provide support to the state "if and when we are called upon."

Shortly after Hawks' statement to Patch, Fox 9's Theo Keith reported that Gov. Tim Walz will call on the Minnesota National Guard "to deal with threats of violence" at the Capitol.

Boogaloo Bois Movement

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Boogaloo Bois is a "loosely connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments."

The Southern Poverty Law Center says members of the "anti-government extremist movement group" show up to protests heavily armed and while wearing Hawaiian shirts.

"Boogaloo" refers to what is described as an impending second civil war in the U.S. that will involve violent uprisings against the government, according to the FBI.

Federal authorities say two self-described members of the Boogaloo Bois tried to help Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, while they were in Minneapolis this summer.

Another member fired 13 rounds from an AK-47-style semiautomatic rifle into the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct during the riots there, authorities said.

Nationwide threats

Minnesota and Michigan are not alone in facing threats in the coming days. The FBI is warning all 50 statehouses ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration about plans for armed protests. Read more.