Intel Officials Warned COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Could Spur Violence: Declassified Report
A U.S. intelligence document declassified on May 23 shows the government warned that COVID-19 vaccine mandates could lead to violence.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center
'Given these conditions, DVEs would most likely plot violent acts to intimidate healthcare workers and officials charged with implementing COVID-19 mitigation measures as well as, possibly, killings or kidnappings of state, local, or federal government personnel,' the officials stated.
Plotting had already occurred in the United States and other countries, according to the intelligence agencies. That included a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, although some of the men charged in that matter were acquitted after they argued they were entrapped.
The joint assessment also said that COVID-19 vaccines becoming available for children 'might spur conspiracy theories and perceptions that schools will vaccinate children against parents' will and may increase the potential for violence.'
Some health care workers did vaccinate children despite opposition from parents, including in
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U.S. intelligence agencies
The assessment said in a footnote that U.S. individuals opposing COVID-19 mandates were 'likely engaging in First Amendment-protected activities, unless they are acting in concert with a threat actor,' and that related topics 'should not be assumed to reflect DVE activity, absent information specifically attributing the content to DVE threat actors.'
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ordered the declassification of the document.
'It really talks about people who may likely turn out to be domestic violent extremists or those who may turn to violence because of these specific 'ideologies' that they hold. And there's a consistent thread through here that these ideologies that they are characterizing as potentially turning into potentially violent activities happen to be people who were using their First Amendment rights to oppose certain policies of the Biden Administration,' Gabbard said during an appearance on Fox News.
'Some of the examples that are focused on there have to do with those who oppose the COVID vaccine mandates, those who oppose the mask mandates, parents who were concerned that their children going to school may be forcibly vaccinated with the COVID vaccine without the consent or awareness of parents.'
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
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