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FBI Now Interviewing DC National Guard to Prevent ‘Inside Job’ at Inauguration

This latest, additional layer of screening will be as thorough as they come.

During the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Americans witnessed something disturbing amid the chaos:  A number of Capitol Police officers seemingly assisting the would-be insurrectionists into the building, chatting politely, and even taking selfies with the mob.

After further investigation, the force launched an investigation that saw several officers suspended indefinitely, while others remained under the microscope.

The National Guard is now working DC for the Joe Biden Inaugural on Wednesday, and the organization is doing all that they can to prevent any further sympathetic incidents.

Now, another additional screening will be added to the gauntlet that these guardsmen must endure – this time by the FBI.

U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, prompting the FBI to vet all of the 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.

The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. And it underscores fears that some of the very people assigned to protect the city over the next several days could present a threat to the incoming president and other VIPs in attendance.

The joint effort was leaving no stone unturned.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press on Sunday that officials are conscious of the potential threat, and he warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches. So far, however, he and other leaders say they have seen no evidence of any threats, and officials said the vetting hadn’t flagged any issues that they were aware of.

”We’re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,” McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday’s inauguration. He said Guard members are also getting training on how to identify potential insider threats.

There are believed to be nearly 25,000 Guardsmen to be deployed to DC for the event.

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