Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

FBI, Homeland Security chiefs preparing for violence at political conventions

By Reuters 2 min read
U.S. security chiefs testify before a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington

By Julia Edwards

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers on Thursday that they were preparing their agencies for the possibility of violence, both from unruly demonstrators and terrorists, at the upcoming Republican and Democratic nominating conventions.

Advertisement

Speaking before the House Homeland Security Committee, Johnson said he was concerned that demonstrations at the events could get out of hand.

In an interview with Reuters following his testimony, Johnson said he knew of no specific or credible threat to either convention but that it was important to be prepared.

Johnson said the Department of Homeland Security would be sending more than 3,000 personnel to each convention.

Recent clashes between attendees and protesters at rallies for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have led to physical assaults and arrests.

The Republican National Convention being held July 18-21 in Cleveland and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia from July 25-28 follow a string of high-profile shootings.

In June, an Islamic State sympathizer committed the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, killing 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Last week, five police officers in Dallas were killed by a black man angry about police shootings of unarmed black men.

Comey told the committee that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was monitoring the threat of violence at the conventions “very, very carefully.”

“Anytime there is a national spotlight on a political event in the United States, there is a risk that groups that aspire to do just that, engage in acts of domestic terrorism, will be attracted,” Comey said.

(Reporting by Julia Edwards; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC6D17T-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC6D17V-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

A very British, and muddy, Glastonbury wraps up for another year
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

A very British, and muddy, Glastonbury wraps up for another year

The Thrill of the Scare: Are You Afraid?
Entertainment
loren 3 min read

The Thrill of the Scare: Are You Afraid?

Indian group celebrates birthday of ‘savior of humanity’ Trump
News
Reuters 1 min read

Indian group celebrates birthday of ‘savior of humanity’ Trump

Texas Police Chief Kicked Out of Doctor’s Office Over Gun
News
Leah Hennessy 3 min read

Texas Police Chief Kicked Out of Doctor’s Office Over Gun

Las Vegas Union Raises Questions about NV5 Global’s Trump Connections
Business
Jason Owen 2 min read

Las Vegas Union Raises Questions about NV5 Global’s Trump Connections

Father of Orlando shooter hosted political show on Afghan-Pakistan issues
News
Reuters 3 min read

Father of Orlando shooter hosted political show on Afghan-Pakistan issues

This is the Only Shop of its Kind in the USA
Trending
David Clarke 2 min read

This is the Only Shop of its Kind in the USA

Fire that disrupted NYC’s Grand Central Terminal trains ruled accidental
News
Reuters 2 min read

Fire that disrupted NYC’s Grand Central Terminal trains ruled accidental

New Hampshire Powerball ticket matches winning numbers for $487 million jackpot
News
Reuters 1 min read

New Hampshire Powerball ticket matches winning numbers for $487 million jackpot

Shouting ‘liar, liar,’ protesters disrupt Lochte’s dancing debut
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Shouting ‘liar, liar,’ protesters disrupt Lochte’s dancing debut

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy