The Secret Service knew about the plans for violence even before January. 6 riots

US Secret Service agents were alerted to potential violence at the Capitol on January 1st. On January 6, 2021, at least 10 days before the rioters stormed the building, according to emails and other communications received Jan. 6 committees.

“Information about this risk was directly available to the US Secret Service and others in the White House before Ellips’ speech, before the march to the US Capitol,” said the member of the House of Representatives. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank).

The committee received over 1 million emails from the Secret Service and spent the month of August going through the documents, Schiff said. Schiff added that the FBI, the United States Capitol Police, the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department and others have provided the Secret Service with information they have gathered about potential threats.

The threats included “calls to occupy federal buildings”, “intimidation of Congress and intrusion into [the] Capitol Building” and people claiming they want to “arm themselves and engage in political violence at the event,” according to documents released by the committee.

Schiff also highlighted how the Proud Boys, one of the groups that led the attack on the Capitol, openly planned their activities on several websites that had been turned over to the Secret Service prior to the attack.

One source sent a tip to the Secret Service on December 1st. October 26, 2020, warning specifically about the Proud Boys.

“They think they’ll have a group large enough to march armed into DC and outnumber the police so they can’t be stopped,” the source warned. “Their plan is to literally kill people. Please take this advice seriously and continue your investigation.”

Secret Service knowledge of potential violence also extends to January 1st. On February 6, 2021, Schiff said, adding that according to reports received by the committee, the Secret Service knew that some of the protesters had ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests, radio equipment, pepper spray and various firearms.

“The Secret Service received more than 10 days of advance information about the Proud Boys’ plans for January. 6,” Schiff said. “We now know, of course, that the Proud Boys and others were indeed leading the attack on our Capitol building.”