FBI Pittsburgh is aware of a report over the weekend indicating there may be protests in our area leading up to the Inauguration on January 20th. FBI Pittsburgh contacted the source of the report. Subsequently, the Pittsburgh based individual cited in the report was interviewed by FBI agents. At this time, we are not aware of any related threats in our region which includes Western Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia. The FBI takes all threats seriously and fully investigates each threat that comes into either our National Threat Operations Center or an FBI Field Office. We continue to work closely with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners with maintaining public safety and focusing our efforts on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals who are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity.

Simultaneously, FBI Pittsburgh and our law enforcement partners have deployed our full investigative resources and are taking all steps necessary to bring those responsible to justice for the destruction and violence at the U.S. Capitol. We are working closely with our counterparts at the Washington Field Office, which is coordinating a national investigative effort.

The FBI continues to seek information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, D.C. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol building and surrounding area in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. Here at home, our agents and analysts have been hard at work gathering evidence, sharing intelligence and working with federal prosecutors to bring charges. While the FBI does not comment on investigations, as a matter of course, we utilize a number of different investigative tools to pursue any lead that will further our investigations. The Pittsburgh FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of FBI Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Port Authority Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, is helping to lead the way in these efforts.

FBI Pittsburgh has a command post staffed to take in leads, ensure interagency partnership, disseminate intelligence, and conduct investigation relative to the events of January 6th at the Capitol Building. It is important to note, the FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory. Accordingly, we are committed to investigating violent behavior and those who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. We will continue to coordinate with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities, and we urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

We are committed to holding those who violate federal law responsible. We encourage a member of the public who has information, photos, or videos, from the events at the U.S. Capitol to submit at fbi.gov/USCapitol or report telephonically via 1-800-CALL-FBI. An electronic tip can be filed at tips@fbi.gov.

For media inquiries please call (412) 396-9504 or email cpolicicchio@fbi.gov