The US Secret Service was informed of online threats made against then-Vice President Mike Pence ahead of the Capitol uprising, including that Pence would be “a dead man walking if he doesn’t do the right thing,” said committee member Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, during a hearing on Thursday.

“On the morning of the 6th, agents received alerts of online threats that Vice President Pence would be ‘a dead man walking if he doesn’t do the right thing,'” Schiff said.

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“Another agent reported, ‘I saw several other alerts saying they will storm the Capitol if he doesn’t do the right thing,'” he added.

Hours after being forced to seek refuge in a safe area of the US Capitol as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building, some of whom were chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” Pence ultimately rejected requests from Trump and his closest allies to stop the House and Senate from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.

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On the day of the attack, Trump spoke extensively about how “fired up” the crowd waiting outside the White House for his rally was, according to former deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere, who testified before the committee in a video deposition.

When questioned by investigators about what he said, Deere responded: “Just that they were — they were fired up. They were angry. They feel like the election’s been stolen, that the election was rigged, that — he went on and on about that for a little bit.”

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Agents spotted multiple firearms in the crowd on January 6, the morning before Trump was scheduled to address the Ellipse, according to newly discovered Secret Service emails and text messages.

According to Schiff, the data showed that several online users were directing others to “start marching into the chambers” while also targeting members of Congress. Messages also indicated that the Secret Service was made aware of the participation of right-wing organisations like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers.