Pro-Trump groups failed to stage organized dissent or affect the transition of power in an environment of deterrence and heightened security.

[5] The protests featured the participation of far-right militia groups that follow right-libertarianism, neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, white supremacism, and other ultranationalist or right-wing ideologies, as well as members of the New Black Panther Party, and the QAnon and boogaloo movements.

[1][8] On January 31, 2021, detailed overviews of attempts to subvert the 2020 U.S. presidential election and Biden's inauguration were published by The New York Times.

[22] In November and December 2020, there were nighttime clashes and street scuffles in Washington, D.C., between Trump supporters who refused to accept the president's defeat, including the Proud Boys, and counterprotesters.

[23][24] On January 6, 2021, when the United States Congress convened to certify the electoral votes of the presidential election, supporters of Trump stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to prevent the tabulation of votes and protest Biden's win, which was preceded by an earlier speech from Trump that called on them to protest the results and support those opposing Biden's win.

[29] In the early morning hours of January 7, the electoral votes were certified, and Trump released a statement stating that there will be an "orderly transition" of power on Inauguration Day.

[30] One of the most militant demonstrations of Trump supporters that would take place in the subsequent weeks, and leading up to Biden's inauguration, had already occurred – prior to the January 11 FBI warning.

One of the armed protesters was wearing camouflage from head to toe and carrying several zip ties, explaining that he brought them "just in case."

Some groups also organized on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and on alt-tech communication apps like Telegram, Gab, and Parler.

[40] Protests were set for the days leading up to Biden's inauguration, with a "Million Militia March" planned for January 20.

[43] In a January 11 briefing, Capitol Police informed House Democrats they were prepared for "tens of thousands of armed protesters" in the coming days, and that they were aware of and monitoring three separate plots: one in honor of killed rioter Ashli Babbitt, another promoted as the United States' "largest armed protest ever", and a third "would involve insurrectionists forming a perimeter around the Capitol, the White House[,] and the Supreme Court" before "blocking Democrats from entering the Capitol — perhaps even killing them ― so that Republicans could take control of the government".

"[44] Significant efforts were made to deter people from visiting Washington, D.C., during the week of the inauguration out of the concern that assemblies may become violent.

[52] Initially planning for 10,000 National Guard troops in D.C. for the protests,[53] the Pentagon upped the number to over 20,000, and authorized the use of lethal force, around January 14.

The city planned for further protests, and regional lawmakers called on the state to establish units specific to domestic terrorism.

[6] The Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta had a heavy law enforcement presence, including military vehicles and barriers.

[68] On January 17, members of the Boogaloo movement turned out at the Ohio Statehouse with firearms and flags, including one that said "Liberty or Death."

Two protesters with bullhorns dominated the event, one of whom ranted about vaccines, voting machines, fluoride in drinking water, and LGBTQ rights.

[69] In South Carolina, about 40 protesters gathered in front of the State House, for a rally of free speech in response to the social media companies banning of Trump.

[73] On January 17, a crowd of about 100 protesters, many armed and focused on gun rights, gathered outside the Texas State Capitol and peacefully demonstrated.

[3] Dozens of armed demonstrators were seen in Richmond on January 18, and identified themselves as members of the Proud Boys, boogaloo groups, and Black Panthers taking part in the state's annual event to support Second Amendment rights.