At least 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened as a result of the assault on the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, US Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told a Democratic lawmaker on Sunday.
Representative Jason Crow, a member of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said Mr McCarthy told him the Pentagon was aware of "further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists" in the days up to and including the inauguration of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on 20 January.
"Long guns, Molotov cocktails, explosive devices and zip ties were recovered, which suggests a greater disaster was narrowly averted," Mr Crow, a former Army Ranger, said in a summary of his call with Mr McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy assured him the Pentagon was working with local and federal law enforcement to coordinate security preparations after what he described as "deficient law enforcement threat reporting" ahead of last Wednesday.
Five people died in the attack, including a police officer.
Mr Crow said he raised grave concerns about reports that active-duty and reserve military members were involved in the assault, and urged Mr McCarthy to expedite investigations and courts-martial, and ensure no troops to be deployed on 20 January were sympathetic to domestic militants.
A memorial for Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick who was killed by rioters last Wednesday, Sunday, 10 January, 2021. Source: AAP
Mr McCarthy agreed to take "additional measures," Mr Crow said.
Separately, the Justice Department said in a statement there'd been two more arrests over the storming of the Capitol.
Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the grounds of the Capitol. The government alleged Brock was identified as one of the individuals pictured holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain subjects.
Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, was also charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Photos show a person who appears to be Munchel carrying plastic restraints, the government said.
