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FILE PHOTO: Members of the National Guard patrol near the US Capitol building prior to the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden, in Washington, USA, January 19 2021. REUTERS / Andrew Kelly / File Photo
WASHINGTON – A dozen members of the U.S. National Guard have been removed from their duties, helping secure President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after a background investigation, which included the detection of possible ties with right-wing extremism, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.
A Pentagon spokesman said the investigation went beyond ties to extremist groups. One member of the Guard was removed from duty after troubling text messages and another had been reported to a phone line, Army General Daniel Hokanson, head of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters.
“Out of great precaution, we are taking action and immediately removing them from the line of duty on Capitol Hill and the events that are occurring,” said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman.
On Sunday, Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said the FBI was helping the U.S. military investigate more than 25,000 National Guard soldiers who were deployed to help protect the U.S. Capitol from potential security concerns. before Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
The investigation has been going on since last week, and the FBI is also working to see if any current service members were involved in the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump.
Last week, the Virginia National Guard said Jacob Fracker, an off-duty police officer charged in connection with the violent disturbances on Capitol Hill, was a corporal in the state Guard and serves as an infantryman.
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