As President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration approaches on Wednesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting thorough vetting of the 25,000 National Guard troops stationed in Washington, D.C. This heightened precautionary measure follows the Capitol insurrection, which revealed potential insider military connections.
Authorities are particularly wary of the possibility of insider threats among the troops during the inauguration. Despite the desire for an ultra-secure event with limited attendance, the vetting process is deemed essential. According to the Washington Herald, a U.S. defense official—who requested anonymity—indicated that the Army is collaborating with the FBI to screen all personnel involved in the inauguration. While the Army acknowledges credible threats, details regarding specific domestic intelligence remain classified.
The security concerns following the January 6th insurrection are justified, given that some individuals assigned to protect D.C. may have contributed to the events that unfolded—this includes members of the Capitol Police, U.S. troops, and Congress members.
In recent days, images showcasing thousands of troops patrolling D.C. have circulated widely. Many service members have been stationed within the Capitol building to bolster security. Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Carter, the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, stated in an interview that the inauguration screening adds an “extra layer” of security, supplementing the ongoing monitoring of service members by the U.S. military.
The current troop presence in the nation’s capital is approximately two and a half times greater than in previous inaugurations, largely due to the violent attack on January 6th. Barricades have been erected around the Capitol, and the National Mall has been closed to the public due to concerns about potential armed attacks and the risk of improvised explosive devices.
Intelligence reports indicate that organized groups are planning armed rallies in the coming week, spurred on by former President Donald Trump’s incitement of violence following his refusal to concede the election to Biden. This refusal, despite a lack of evidence supporting claims of election fraud, has convinced many of his supporters that the election was “stolen,” which contributed to the Capitol riots—an event Trump has not accepted responsibility for.
Last week, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a letter to all military personnel, reiterating their duty to uphold and defend the Constitution. The letter emphasized that regardless of personal opinions, President-elect Biden will be their next commander-in-chief.
“As we have done throughout our history, the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civil authorities to protect lives and property, and ensure public safety in accordance with the law,” the letter stated.
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Summary:
The FBI is currently screening 25,000 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., ahead of President-elect Biden’s inauguration, following security concerns raised by the January 6th insurrection, which involved potential insider military participation. The Army is collaborating with the FBI to ensure the safety of the event, which has seen a troop presence significantly higher than in past inaugurations. The U.S. military has reaffirmed its commitment to support lawful civilian leadership during this critical period.