Some members of Congress have told the party leadership that they fear for their lives and that of their families, sources told CNN. And several members of Congress have taken new security measures, sources told CNN.
The more they learn in the news and online, the more worried they grow, several sources said. There is a growing understanding of the danger they were in, sources said, especially when they watch videos that reflect the coordination of the attack.
A video of particular concern shows militia members with their arms over their shoulders, pushing each other in a line that winds through a crowd that collapses against a door toward the Capitol building, he reported to CNN a source in Congress.
“I am,” Meijer told CNN when asked if he was afraid of threats against him. “But I won’t let that influence my decision. I think if we veto the killers, if we veto the insurgents, we lose something in this country and I won’t let that happen again.”
Since then, Meijer has added that he plans to buy armor and that he was adjusting his daily routines to protect himself from death threats.
“It’s sad that we have to get to this point, but you know, our expectation is that someone can try to kill us,” Meijer told MSNBC on Thursday.
“I mean, this morning, one of my offices received a threat to my life. I received other threats to my security. My address, a photo of my house where my family lives, was posted on a sort of anti-powdered Facebook page. These are dark times. There is huge outrage and anger, “Johnson said Wednesday on PBS. “The reality is that I think not just me, but all my teammates, we have to recognize that we can be in danger, but we still have to do our job.”
Johnson said the threats so far come from supporters of President Donald Trump so far.
“In the last week, those on the far right have received a preponderance of threats,” acknowledging that in the past he has received threats from the left.
Jim Clyburn, the killer of most of the house, screened CNN on Wednesday, which projected security concerns over the upcoming inauguration that, while he felt safe at the Capitol that day, he wasn’t sure what security he would feel. on the day of the inauguration until they gave him more details.
“I feel safe today, I have no idea how I will feel on the 20th because I don’t know what they will put in their place,” said Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat.
“It’s a very sad comment that we have to install metal detectors outside the House floor because co-workers could pose a threat to members’ safety,” a Democratic aide told CNN.
Similarly, some Republican members have also been uncomfortable with some of their groups that they know carry weapons, according to a Republican Party source.
Several members of the House have been investigating with private security companies for details of personal protection in the wake of the violence and threats against Congress, according to a person familiar with security planning.
In response to growing concerns from members about their security, the House Admissions Committee distributed a letter earlier this week to remind them what security measures they could spend and the process to strengthen their security protocols. security. Members can be reimbursed for purchasing a bulletproof vest, for hiring security personnel in certain cases, or for obtaining their own safety training and for making a number of security improvements to their district offices.
Questions about “privileged” help
As CNN previously reported, there are still more questions than answers about whether the pro-Trump riots had domestic help.
There are early indications, in addition to unverified allegations, that some Republican lawmakers collaborated with some of the extremist conspiracy theorists who organized the rallies and may even have made “reconnaissance” visits to riot police. before the attack.
A group of Democratic lawmakers called on U.S. Capitol police to begin an investigation into possible collaboration between members of Congress and riot police who attacked the building.
Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who was captured in an iconic photograph hiding in the House gallery during the attack, told CNN Thursday that some lawmakers did tours even though visits are banned since the pandemic began.
“We’ll keep going where the facts take us,” Crow said. “We won’t make any assumptions. I’m not a mental reader.”
He also said he had “lost confidence” in U.S. Capitol police to keep him and other lawmakers safe from threats.
Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, one of the signatories of the letter, confirmed to CNN that she saw groups of six to eight people in MAGA clothing on tour. one or two days before the attack.
“I had seen what appeared to be a tourist group of people dressed in MAGA costumes, in the hallways, in the tunnels,” Scanlon told CNN.
“I don’t know exactly what day it was, it was amazing to see this happen because since Covid has closed the building. There’s not going to be any route. So I assumed it should be a new member who didn’t know the rules or something. But I mean, I can check that it happened. There were people wandering the aisles, apparently under the guidance of Congressional staff. “
As the major criminal investigation escalates, this angle will be an intense focus for the Justice Department and the FBI as they try to find out if any lawmakers or staff helped conspire to attack the Capitol and disrupt the College’s proceedings. Electoral.
It’s unclear what future revelations Cheney was referring to, but she’s a plugged-in legislator with connections all over Washington, who would probably be in a position to get information about the investigation before things become clear to the public.
This story and title have been updated to include additional news on Friday.
CNN’s Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.