A new Federal Bureau of Investigation report warns followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory could once again turn to violence because the plan they believed has not come to fruition.
In an unclassified memo sent to Congressional lawmakers last week, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security said the threat of violence will likely continue as the attack on the Capitol serves “as a catalyst for some to begin accepting the legitimacy of violent action.”
An online community promotes the constantly evolving QAnon conspiracy theory that has morphed into a real-world movement. Supporters believe a group of corrupt, global elites, in cahoots with the ‘deep state,’ run a Satan-worshiping international child sex trafficking ring and planned a coup to usurp former President Trump. The alleged crimes are said to be punishable with mass detentions and possibly even executions. Some are also awaiting Donald Trump, the former president who they believed would expose these crimes, to be “reinstated” as president.
Because none of this has materialized, the FBI is warning some of the militant adherents of the conspiracy will soon feel they cannot “trust the plan.” Accordingly, they will forsake their roles as “digital soldiers” and feel obligated to engage in real-world violence. Democrats could be targeted, according to the agency.
“This assessment raises awareness for our government and the general public to the evolving threat posed by domestic violent extremists,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement, “and further shows the urgent need for an independent January 6th commission.”
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The FBI has arrested more than 20 QAnon believers involved in the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Some followers have unplugged from the movement because a new administration is in the White House, the FBI says. Removing QAnon content from social media has helped further disengage some former believers from the movement.
“The nature of this crisis is existential for them,” said former QAnon follower Jitarth Jadeja in an interview with CNN. “It’s a battle between God and the devil. A battle for their souls, for their children’s souls. If you really believe that … what wouldn’t you do?”
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) requested this report from the intelligence agency in December 2020, a month before the violent insurrection.