National security officials admit they're worried about violence at upcoming conventions
Even with the federal government sending at least 30,000 security personnel to both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention, top national security officials admitted Thursday they're still concerned about the threat of violence. The Hill reported that both Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and FBI Director James Comey testified in front of the House Homeland Security Committee that they're worried the events might be a target for attacks, or that protests could go dangerously awry. "I am concerned about the possibility for violence," Johnson said.
Comey expressed concern as well, though he said the FBI is already planning to supervise the event with the utmost caution. "It's a threat we're watching very, very carefully," Comey said. "There's a concern any time there's an event like this that people from across a spectrum of radical groups will be attracted to it. So we're watching it very, very carefully."
Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.