The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning that state capitals across the country could face armed protests during the upcoming presidential inauguration.
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United States Attorney for the District Court of Western Pennsylvania Scott Brady spoke with KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin about possible threats to peaceful protests as Joe Biden's inauguration draws near, not only in Washington, DC, but in Pittsburgh as well.
He told Marty Griffin that non-violent protesting is a first amendment right, but his department is ready to prosecute people aggressively who intend to incite violence.
"As the chief law enforcement officer in Western Pennsylvania, I'm worried about the rule of law and applying it equally across the board and protecting our neighbors, our loved ones and people of Western Pennsylvania - full stop," he said.
Brady says he hopes violence will not be an issue but is confident authorities are well prepared for such an event. He said violence will not be tolerated.
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"People want to protest - that's absolutely their right. You know, we support that right, but if you're gonna come with homemade IEDs, Molotov cocktails, you're gonna light police cars on fire, you're gonna storm into federal property - well then you're gonna go to jail."
Brady says law enforcement is well prepared and aware of groups that may try to incite violence.