United States intelligence officials have been quietly alerting government agencies throughout the summer regarding an increasing threat of extremist violence associated with the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This includes potential plans to destroy paper ballot receptacles and encourage “lone wolf” attacks on election facilities nationwide.
Between July and September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) produced reports cautioning of a “heightened risk” that extremists could carry out attacks as a response to the electoral race. These reports, initially disclosed by WIRED, detail plans by violent groups aiming to instigate attacks on election infrastructure and incite calls for the assassination of lawmakers and law enforcement officials.
In a report released in the previous month, the DHS intelligence office highlighted that beliefs surrounding “voter fraud” have emerged as a significant “trigger” for the “mobilization to violence.” This is especially evident among groups attempting to capitalize on the “concept of a potential civil war.” The report also identifies fears concerning “crimes by migrants or minorities” as other leading “triggers.”
DHS communicated to numerous agencies over the summer about online discussions hinting at possible attacks on election drop boxes. These drop boxes are secured containers used in over thirty states to collect mail-in ballots. The report sheds light on efforts by an unnamed group to gather information on “incendiary and explosive materials” intended to compromise these boxes and ballots. Members of this group also compiled and shared online an extensive list of household mixtures and solvents believed capable of rendering voter ballots “impossible to process.”
A DHS spokesperson conveyed to WIRED, “The United States remains in a heightened, dynamic threat environment, and we continue to share information with our law enforcement partners about the threats posed by domestic violent extremists in the context of the 2024 election.” The spokesperson emphasized that violence does not belong in politics and that DHS is working alongside its partners to assess and mitigate emerging threats from both domestic and foreign actors. The agency, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is also assisting election officials and infrastructure partners in enhancing their cyber, physical, and operational security. The Department advises federal, state, and local partners to stay vigilant regarding potential threats and encourages the public to report suspicious activities to local authorities.
The FBI, which is included in the distribution of several of these reports, declined to provide any comments on the matter.
