FBI controls National Guard members involved in securing U.S. Capitol

The enhanced screening measures come as thousands of National Guard members patrol the streets of the nation’s capital ahead of opening day.

Walker pointed out that members of the National Guard are vetted upon entering service and that’s another layer.

CNN previously reported that the U.S. Military is working with the Secret Service to determine if there are any soldiers who will be part of the National Guard contingent providing security at the inauguration and who require additional background checks.

The DC National Guard is also providing additional training to service members upon their arrival in the nation’s capital so that if they see or hear anything that is not appropriate, they are to report it to their chain of command, “said a Army spokesman in a written statement to CNN last week.

“There is no room for extremism in the military and we will investigate each report individually and take appropriate action,” the statement said.

“The military is committed to working closely with the FBI to identify individuals who participated in the violent attack on the Capitol to determine if these individuals have any connection to the military,” the statement said while adding that any type of activity “involves violence, civil disobedience or a breach of the peace” may be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or under state and federal laws.

Current Department of Defense policy requires that all members of the service be trained annually under a program that requires departmental personnel to report “any information regarding known or suspected extremist behavior that could pose a threat to the department or the United States, “the statement said.

New details emerge linking rioter to military

The check comes as new details have emerged linking a rioter involved in the Jan.6 Capitol uprising in the United States.

Among those charged so far in the riot is an Army reservist who federal investigators say has a security-level security clearance and a long history of publishing his opinions. extremists online.

Federal investigators have said the Army reservist – Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, of Colts Neck, New Jersey – was described by an informant as “an avowed white supremacist and a Nazi sympathizer,” according to court documents.

Court documents also indicate, during a phone call with the informant on Thursday which was recorded by law enforcement, Hale-Cusanelli can be heard saying he encouraged members of the crowd to “come forward” across the Capitol and gave instructions “via both voices. and hand signals.” It is not known if he was arrested.

Efforts to find and eradicate extremism within the ranks of the military, especially among those espousing white supremacist beliefs, began long before this month’s riot on Capitol Hill, but have taken on increased urgency in the days that followed.

Extremist groups, including white supremacists, place particular importance on recruiting current and former members of the military, a senior defense official said last week, while also trying to bring in extremist members of their army. group in the armed forces. Groups want the experience and expertise of the military.

“We know that some groups try to actively recruit our personnel for their cause, or in fact encourage their members to join the military to gain skills and experience,” the senior defense official said. “We recognize that these skills are valued by some of these groups not only for the abilities they offer them, but also for their legitimacy in their minds for their cause.”