Was the Sheriff's Office in Gwinnett County, Georgia, told about a threat from white supremacists or Ku Klux Klan members against Black women up to the inauguration? No, that's not true: The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office issued a statement on their Facebook page that they "have not received any information indicating threats to any group(s) on or after election day." A copy/paste text thread circulating on social media warns of a threat that supposedly was disclosed to "a friend" by a Gwinnett County deputy with inside information -- but there is no evidence that this threat is real.
One example (archived here) was posted on Facebook on November 1, 2024. The text read:
Fwd:'Fwd:Hey ladies, I just received this from a friend who works in the Gwinnett County Sheriff's office!!!Be on Alert... Last night, a deputy told a family that local White Supremacists/ KKK members originating out of Lexington, NC, are planning to attack from now until the Inauguration.They are plotting against Blacks, especially black women because in their eyes, we are easy targets! Please be vigilant!Try not to do anything alone, especially after dark! This is not a hoax or a rumor! The deputy showed paperwork that the police department has. In their words...'They're taking their country back!'It's really scary, and please take what I'm telling you SERIOUSLY!We have to continue to live, but just be careful and watch your surroundings!This is happening everywhere. Stay safe!'Take care of yourself.
This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Tue Nov 5 15:17:43 2024 UTC)
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office published a Safety Alert Update (pictured below) on their Facebook page (archived here) and X account on November 2, 2024. The message from Sheriff Keybo Taylor reads:
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office has been made aware of a circulating text thread suggesting potential attacks on African American women 'from now through the inauguration.' We have not received any information indicating threats to any group(s) on or after election day.Hateful discourse such as this aims to instill fear in the community and disrupt us from exercising our constitutional rights. The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office remains dedicated to protecting all citizens and we will continue to monitor and respond accordingly to all suspicious and threatening behavior.We will continue collaborating with local, state, and federal authorities to stay current on any potential threats surrounding the general election. Please immediately report any information regarding threats or suspicious behavior to your local law enforcement agency or call the Tip Line at 770.619.6655.
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Tue Nov 5 15:17:43 2024 UTC)
Lead Stories spoke to the Gwinnett County Sheriff communications office on November 5, 2024, to ask if there was any new information since the alert was posted. There are no updates at this time.
Other fact check agencies have also reviewed this claim, including CheckYourFact and PolitiFact.
Additional Lead Stories fact checks of claims about the 2024 U.S. presidential election are here.
