[ad_1]
WASHINGTON: A dozen members of the U.S. National Guard were removed from securing the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden after the FBI investigated him, including two who made extremist statements in posts or texts about the event, Pentagon officials said on Tuesday (January 19). .
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.
The other 10 were for other potential problems that may involve prior criminal behavior or other activities, but were not directly related to the opening event, he said.
“Out of great caution, 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.
“Much of the information,” Hoffman said, “is not related to the events taking place on Capitol Hill or to the concerns that many people have noted about extremism. These are research efforts that identify any questionable behavior in the past or any potential link to questionable behavior, not just related to extremism. “
His withdrawal from the massive security presence in the nation’s capital comes as the FBI was working to vet the 25,000 National Guard troops heading to the area for Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
The FBI is also working to see if any current service members were involved in the January 6 riot in 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.
LEE: The FBI investigates the Guard troops in Washington DC amid fears of an internal attack
Washington has been on edge since the deadly insurrection on Capitol Hill, which has prompted extraordinary security measures ahead of Biden’s inauguration. A fire at a homeless camp about a mile from the Capitol complex caused a shutdown Monday during a rehearsal for the dedication.
The U.S. Secret Service beefed up security on and around the Capitol days earlier than usual in preparation, and the downtown area is essentially closed with blocked streets, high fences in place, and tens of thousands of soldiers and agents of law enforcement stationed around the area.
READ: Biden’s team sets plans for inauguration, Trump impeachment looming
Federal law enforcement officials have also been cautious about increasing surveillance of military and police checkpoints and other positions after National Guard troops reported people taking and recording photos, they said. law enforcement officials, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing security issues.
The Secret Service issued a newsletter over the weekend about what it considers a “spike” in National Guard troops posting photos and details of their operations online.
The Associated Press got the “all concerned” message sent to all National Guard troops arriving in Washington. Without going into specific posts, the bulletin said, “No service member should post online locations, photos, or descriptions of current operations or the sensitive sites they are protecting,” and urged them to stop immediately.
When asked about the bulletin, a Secret Service spokesman issued a statement saying it “does not comment on protective intelligence issues.”
READ: US state capitals, Washington on alert for possible armed protests in favor of Trump
Contacted by the AP on Tuesday morning, the National Guard Office referred questions to the United States Secret Service and said: “Due to operational security, we do not discuss the process or the outcome of the investigation process for military members who support the inauguration. “
Over the summer, a man was arrested in Los Angeles for posing as a member of the National Guard during protests in the city near Los Angeles City Hall.
The man, Gregory Wong, was carrying a weapon and an assault rifle, but was detained after royal guards confronted him when they noticed things out of place on his uniform.
