By WILSON RING Associated Press Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday urged Vermonters who are considering joining protests in the run-up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden not to be used as “pawns” by extremists who are trying to undermine democracy and overthrow the government.
The Republican governor, speaking at one of his regular news briefings, said he and the state’s law enforcement community are aware that extremists have called for armed protests in all 50 state capitals this Sunday and on Jan. 20, inauguration day.
He said they were not aware of any specific threats in Vermont.
Scott said the people who are planning the protests are using people, just as they used people last week when an insurrectionist mob overran the Capitol in Washington.
A number of Republican members of Congress were not wearing masks while at the secure location and at least three members of Congress has tested positive for the virus.