Ballot Box Bombs and Lone Wolf Attacks: The Grim Warnings Intelligence Officials Have Spent Entire Summer Issuing to Government Over U.S. Election Violence
The DHS has warned of attacks from far-right groups on election facilities and ballot boxes ahead of the presidential election.
Nov. 4 2024, Published 5:30 p.m. ET
The Department of Homeland Security has sent out grim warnings of potential violence ahead of the presidential election.
RadarOnline.com can reveal since the summer, the DHS has issued several warnings regarding "heightened risks" of right-wing extremists targeting ballot boxes and polling stations across the country ahead of election day.
Intelligence officials expressed concern over potential "lone wolf" attacks against election facilities, as well as extremists attempting to destroy boxes where voters drop off mail-in ballots.
The DHS warned of 'heightened risks' of attacks on polling facilities and ballot boxes from far-right groups.
Between July and September, analysts at the DHS detailed "heightened risks" of election-related attacks in several reports.
In one report, reviewed by Wired, the agency said "perceptions of voter fraud" were found to be a "trigger" fueling a "mobilization of violence" aimed at election facilities and ballot drop boxes.
The report comes as authorities in Oregon were looking for a suspect believed to be behind three ballot box fires, which resulted in hundreds of ballots being destroyed.
The agency said 'perceptions of voter fraud' were key 'triggers' for violence from the groups.
The agency further claimed far-right groups were working to push the "concept of a potential civil war" with "crimes by migrants or minorities" among their top "triggers".
Their reports revealed dozens of alerts were sent to agencies across the country after monitoring online activity discussing potential election season attacks.
One report highlighted "efforts of an unnamed group" crowdsourcing information regarding "incendiary and explosive materials" which could be used to destroy ballot boxes.
Members of the group reportedly compiled a list of DIY recipes for solvents which could be used against the boxes, making ballots "impossible to process".
The DHS monitored online activity including discussions on DIY solvents to be used against ballot boxes.
A DHS spokesperson told the outlet: "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.
"Violence has no place in our politics, and DHS continues to work with our partners to evaluate and mitigate emerging threats that may arise from domestic or foreign actors.
"DHS, through CISA, is also helping election officials and election infrastructure partners bolster resilience in their cyber, physical, and operational security.
"The Department continues to advise federal, state, and local partners to remain vigilant to potential threats and encourages the public to report any suspicious activity to local authorities."
Authorities in Oregon are looking for a suspect believed to be behind three attacks on ballot boxes, resulting in hundreds of votes being damaged.
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Already there have been incidents of attacks against ballot boxes on the West coast.
Authorities in Oregon recently shared details about the suspect they believed set fire to three ballot boxes, resulting in hundreds of ballots being damaged.
While the suspect has not been identified, Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Mike Benner said authorities are looking for "a White man between 30 and 40 years old who is balding or has very short hair".
Welding of incendiary devices found on or near the damaged boxes were said to be "very detailed", suggesting the suspect has "some skills in that area".
Authorities "anticipate" the suspect could strike again and have ramped up security around Portland's 30 ballot boxes, according to CNN.
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