CNN: “The FBI has warned lawmakers that online QAnon conspiracy theorists may carry out more acts of violence as they move from serving as ‘digital soldiers’ to taking action in the real world following the January 6 US Capitol attack. The shift is fueled by a belief among some of the conspiracy’s more militant followers that they ‘can no longer ‘trust the plan’ set forth by its mysterious standard-bearer, known simply as ‘Q,’ according an unclassified FBI threat assessment on QAnon sent to lawmakers last week, which was obtained by CNN. But the report suggests the failure of QAnon predictions to materialize has not led to followers abandoning the conspiracy.”

“Instead, there’s a belief that individuals need to take greater control of the direction of the movement than before. This might lead followers to seek to harm ‘perceived members of the ‘cabal’ such as Democrats and other political opposition – instead of continually awaiting Q’s promised actions which have not occurred,’ according to the assessment. ‘Other QAnon adherents likely will disengage from the movement or reduce their involvement in the wake of the administration change,’ it adds. Titled ‘Adherence to QAnon Conspiracy Theory by Some Domestic Violent Extremists,’ the public FBI threat assessment was provided at the request of Democratic New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich. ‘The participation of some domestic violent extremists (DVE) who are also self-identified QAnon adherents in the violent siege of the US Capitol on 6 January underscores how the current environment likely will continue to act as a catalyst for some to begin accepting the legitimacy of violent action,’ the unclassified FBI assessment obtained by CNN says. ‘The FBI has arrested more than 20 self-identified QAnon adherents who participated in the 6 January violent unlawful entry of the Capitol. These individuals were charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct in a restricted building and obstruction of an official proceeding, according to court documents and press reporting based on court documentation, public statements, and social media posts,’ it reads.”