Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller said in a statement on Monday that the Department of Defense had received no intelligence indicating a potential internal threat to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20.
However, Miller added that the department “is leaving no stone unturned in the security of the capital”, noting that all National Guards sent to Washington, DC will be examined.
“This type of verification usually takes place by applying the law for significant security events. However, in this case, the scope of military participation is unique, ”said Miller. “The DC National Guard is also providing additional training to service members when they arrive in DC, who if they see or hear something that is not appropriate, they should report to their chain of command. We appreciate the FBI’s support in helping with this task and for each of the more than 25,000 guards who responded to their nation’s call and quickly moved to the [North Capital Region]. “
The announcement came after defense officials expressed concern about the potential for an internal attack after a riot on Capitol Hill on January 6 by pro-Trump protesters who left five dead and resulted in dozens of arrests.
The FBI warned in a memo earlier this month about potential plans for protests staged in all 50 state capitals that could take place before, on and after Inauguration Day.
INSIDER ATTACK FEARS DAYS BEFORE BIDEN’S INAUGURATION, DC SERVICE MEMBERS VETED BY THE FBI
While members of all the armed forces were at President Trump’s rally before the riot, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told the Associated Press that it is unclear how many were there or who may have participated in the Capitol violation.
The US Army said in a statement on Sunday that it would work with the Secret Service to determine if any available military personnel needed additional background screening. As part of the Threat Awareness and Awareness Program, the military is required to report “any information about known or suspected extremist behavior that could be a threat to the department or the US”
“Any type of activity that involves violence, civil disobedience or breach of peace can be punished by the Uniform Code of Military Justice or by state or federal laws,” says the Army statement.
The Associated Press reported that the Secret Service is in charge of security for the event. In addition to the National Guard and the FBI, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Park Police will also be involved in the opening ceremony.
Most members of the National Guard at the inauguration will be armed.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
McCarthy said that Guard units are undergoing repeated exercises to practice when and how to use force and how to work quickly with law enforcement partners, including “constant mental repetitions of looking at the map and talking about scenarios with leaders so that they understand their task and purpose, they know their routes, they know where they are friendly, adjacent units are, they have the appropriate frequencies to communicate with their law enforcement partners. “
The police would make any arrests.
He noted that the primary objective is for America’s transfer of power to happen without incident.
“This is a national priority. We have to be successful as an institution, ”said McCarthy. “We want to send the message to everyone in the United States and the rest of the world that we can do this safely and peacefully.”
Jennifer Griffin, Edmund DeMarche and the Fox News Associated Press contributed to this report