Published 5 February 2021
During the 6 January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, violent Trump supporters reinforced by a broad coalition of right-wing extremists attacked police, who appeared to be caught unprepared for a violent encounter with a crowd which has been loudly and consistently supportive of law enforcement. In 2020, there were 16 incidents in which police and extremists exchanged gunfire, an increase from the 11-year average of nine per year.
During the 6 January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, violent Trump supporters reinforced by a broad coalition of right-wing extremists attacked police, who appeared to be caught unprepared for a violent encounter with a crowd which has been loudly and consistently supportive of law enforcement. The siege left roughly 140 officers injured, including U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, whose injuries were fatal.
Death of Maryland man shows continued out-of-control nature of SWAT, no-knock raids
When police officers shattered his window and used a battering ram to enter his home, Duncan Lemp s worst fears had come true.
James Bovard
Opinion columnist
One of the most positive developments from last year s political strife was a stronger focus on police abuses and no-knock raids. Some states and cities have imposed new restrictions, others are working toward greater transparency when it comes to police shootings. Unfortunately, Maryland, a state that has wrestled with some of the most egregious SWAT and no-knock cases in the country, remains mired in controversy.
Security forces are on high alert as they prepare for a storm of violent pro-Trump protests at government buildings across the US in the lead-up to Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
The Latest on demonstrating Sunday at statehouses across the country. Some of the protests at statehouses have begun breaking up after drawing only modest crowds " in most places, no more than a couple dozen demonstrators. Officials had fortified statehouses with extra police, National Guard troops and fencing after the FBI had warned about the possibility of armed demonstrations at all 50 state capitols. Yet some had no demonstrators at all Sunday. The Nevada Capitol in Carson City was