OVERVIEW

CORPORATE RISK SERVICES

PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS / SHANNON STAPLETON

This report is the fifth in a series monitoring the security environment leading up to, during and following the U.S. presidential election. It aims to prepare businesses for possible contingencies during the election period and how these contingencies may impact physical security.

G4S assesses that there is a continued, elevated risk of political violence particularly by far-right individuals and groups. This risk is assessed as highest for government facilities, politicians, social media companies that have blocked President Trump and/or cracked down on certain discourse, media companies, and individuals in leadership positions across these industries. The risk of white supremacist attacks has also increased.

G4S emphasizes that while there is a significantly elevated risk of political violence in Washington, D.C., and at government properties across local, state and federal levels across state capitols, security precautions should also be reviewed for companies and individuals who have made any political statements or contributions. Extremist groups are increasingly calling on followers to attack on the “local level” and are also increasingly supporting the targeting of individuals. There have been multiple discussions identified on far-right forums that specifically recommend targeting elsewhere while law enforcement is focused on government assets and personnel. Furthermore, G4S emphasizes that this risk is expected to continue in the near term, and is not expected to dissipate immediately after Jan. 20.