Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Monday that he considers it “offensive” that the FBI is examining members of the National Guard, including those from his own state, before President-elect Joe Biden took office on Wednesday.
“This is the most offensive thing I have ever heard,” wrote Abbott, a Republican, on Twitter. “No one should question the Texas National Guard’s loyalty or professionalism.”
The deadly riot at the Capitol earlier this month prompted city officials to take drastic measures to ensure that possession was secure.
INSIDER ATTACK FEARS DAYS BEFORE BIDEN’S INAUGURATION, DC SERVICE MEMBERS VETED BY THE FBI
Approximately 25,000 National Guard soldiers were sent to the capital – including about 1,000 from Texas.
“I authorized more than 1,000 to go to DC,” wrote Abbott. “I will never do that again if they are disrespected like that.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference in which he provided an update of Texas’ response to COVID-19, Thursday, September 17, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)
US defense officials said they were concerned about an internal attack or other threat from service personnel involved in securing possession, prompting the FBI to examine all National Guard troops coming to Washington DC for the event.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told the AP that officers were aware of the potential threat and warned commanders to watch out for any problems in their ranks as possession approaches.
THE ACTING DEFENSE SECRETARY DOES NOT SAY ANY INTEL TO THREAT TO INAUGURATION
“We are continually going through the process and taking a second, third look at each of the individuals assigned to this operation,” said McCarthy.
He and other leaders say they saw no evidence of threats and officials noted that the investigation did not signal any problems they were aware of.
Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, in a statement on Monday, said the Department of Defense has also received no intelligence indicating a potential internal threat.
Still, Miller added that the department “is leaving no stone unturned in the security of the capital.”
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“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, ”he said.
Fox News Edmund DeMarche and Lucas Manfredi and the Associated Press contributed to this report