U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in a recent interview that U.S. Army commanders are on the lookout for any potential internal threats ahead of the president’s inauguration day and are vetting all members involved in the operation.
McCarthy told The Associated Press on Sunday (Jan. 17) that defense officials are on the lookout for threats from within the force. But so far, he and other leaders have not seen evidence of any such threats, and a Washington review of National Guard units has found none.
“We’re continuing to go through this process and doing a second, third review of everybody who is assigned to this operation,” McCarthy told the media, adding that National Guard members are also being trained on how to identify potential insider threats.
Potential insider threats have been a consideration for law enforcement since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
According to reports, the FBI is currently vetting members of the National Guard who will be in Washington on Jan. 20 to support operations.
When asked questions about the vetting-related issues, the FBI press office referred the reporter’s question, to the U.S. Secret Service. The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating security for the day of the U.S. presidential inauguration.
In an emailed statement, a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said, “In order to maintain the security of critical operations for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, the U.S. Secret Service, and our law enforcement partners, will not comment on the means and methods of mission execution, including matters of protecting intelligence.”
The U.S. military previously confirmed that up to 25,000 National Guard members from across the country will be stationed in Washington next week.
National Guard members were authorized Jan. 12 to support law enforcement efforts at the Capitol and in the city, according to a statement from the D.C. National Guard. The authorization was obtained after a request from federal authorities. Troops have been on 24-hour duty at the U.S. Capitol, and off-duty troops have been photographed sleeping in the building’s hallways.
The additional National Guard members will join the already enhanced law enforcement presence of the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
Security around the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 15, 2021.
“The National Guard has a long and proud history of inauguration support,” National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson said at a Jan. 14 inauguration security news conference with Vice President Mike Pence.
“The forefathers of the National Guard, today, attended the inauguration of George Washington, and we’ve been a part of every inauguration since then.”
The nation’s capital has stepped up security ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, making it one of the most unusual inaugurations in history.
Members of the National Guard near the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2021.
Video taken by reporters, staffers and local residents showed streets blocked off, workers erecting miles of barricades, fencing in coiled barbed wire, blocking off stores and offices and an increase in military personnel. Military vehicles can be seen parked on downtown streets, and armed guards are checking the identities of those entering and leaving the city.
Meanwhile, several streets have been closed in Washington, and more are expected to close by Jan. 20.
Additional security barriers are placed on Washington streets on Jan. 15, 2021.
FBI Director Christopher Wray previously said they were tracking a number of “worrisome online conversations” about potential threats to the inauguration, including armed protests, potential threats related to events at the Capitol and more.
This comes amid fears that the riots and violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 could be repeated next week.
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