Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller on Monday said the thousands of National Guard troops who will provide security in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will be vetted for insider threats following the arrests of former and active duty military personnel who participated in the Capitol siege earlier this month.
In a statement, Miller said the Pentagon with the FBI will vet the about 25,000 troops who will be deployed to the nation's capital for Wednesday's inauguration.
"While we have no intelligence indicating an insider threat, we are leaving no stone unturned in securing the capital," Miller said, adding that the federal agencies will lead the effort usually conducted by law enforcement due to the scope of military involvement.
"The D.C. National Guard is also providing additional training to service members as they arrive in D.C. that if they see or hear something that is not appropriate, they should report it to their chain of command," he said.
The statement was issued following the arrests of former and active members of the military who were charged with storming the Capitol building with the crowd of President Donald Trump supporters on Jan. 6, resulting in at least five deaths, including that of Ashli Babbitt, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who was shot dead by a Capitol Police officer.
Several active and former members of the U.S. military have been charged over their involvement in the siege, including most recently an Army reservist who works as a contractor with "secret" security clearance and access to munitions at Naval Weapons Station Earle.
Prosecutors charged Timothy Louis Hale-Cusanelli, of Colts Neck, N.J., on Friday with five federal counts for participating in the siege.
Law enforcement learned of Hale-Cusanelli's involvement from a source who contacted the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, according to a statement of facts that accompanied the criminal complaint.
The source told authorities that Hale-Cusanelli is an avowed White supremacist and Nazi sympathizer who posts videos on YouTube about his political beliefs.
During a recorded conversation, Hale-Cusanelli is alleged in the statement of facts to have told the unnamed source of his involvement in the storming of the Capitol building, admitting to encouraging other members to "advance" and gave directions via hand signals.
"Hale-Cusanelli told the [source] that if they'd had more men they could have taken over the entire building," the court document said.
Among service men charged, Larry Rendall Brock Jr. is one of the more prominent as the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel has been widely seen in photos carrying flex cuffs and wearing tactical gear in the Capitol building. He was charged Jan. 10.
Master Sgt. Michel Sauret, an Army Reserve Command spokesman, said in a statement that the Army is working closely with the FBI to identify people who participated in the Capitol building attack "to determine if the individuals have any connection to the Army."
Maj. Gen. William Walker told ABC's Good Morning America on Monday that the National Guards troops to be deployed to Washington, D.C., will be screened before they leave their home state.
"What it is is a credentialing process," he said. "So, they're screened and they're repeatedly screened until they are actually put on the street. And even then, we can pull somebody off."
Walker said the troops will undergo an "enhanced" vetting process that will involve "more screening, more details and it's layered."
"The FBI is a part of it, the Secret Service is a part of it, and once they are certain that there is no insider threat, then that soldier, guardsman or airman is given a credential," he said.
National Guard Bureau Chief Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson said in a release on Monday that if they find any indication a soldier or airman harbors extremist views, the case will be immediately handed over to law enforcement or dealt with by the chain of command.
Preparing for inauguration of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
Preparations continue at the National Mall ahead of the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., on January 19. Pool Photo by Susan Walsh/UPI | License Photo
Members of the National Guard and Capitol Police work a security checkpoint near the U.S. Capitol on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
In the wake of last week's Capitol riot, security has been increased in the nation's capital. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
A "field of flags," representing all 50 states and U.S. territories, is displayed on the National Mall to represent the American people who are unable to travel to Washington due to COVID-19 restrictions to witness the inauguration. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Preparations are made at the Capitol prior to a dress rehearsal. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo
Stand-ins for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her family participate in a dress rehearsal for her swearing-in. Harris will be the first woman, as well as the first Black and South Asian person, to serve as vice president. Pool Photo by Patrick Semansky/UPI | License Photo
Socially distanced seating is set up at the Capitol. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Joe Biden will be sworn-in as the 46th president. Pool Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
A marching band moves by the Capitol at a dress rehearsal for the inaugural ceremony. Pool Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/UPI | License Photo
Military personnel practice marching on Pennsylvania Avenue for the inauguration ceremony. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Workers hang banners on the Pennsylvania Avenue reviewing stand across the street from the White House. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
A stand-in for Biden (C) salutes during a rehearsal for Wednesday's inspection of troops at the Capitol. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
People are evacuated back inside after a security threat during dress rehearsals on Monday. Pool Photo by Win McNamee/UPI | License Photo
White House Marine sentries rehearse Biden's arrival. Pool Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
A law enforcement agent secures an area at the Capitol after a
security threat during dress rehearsal forced a lockdown. Pool Photo by Jeenah Moon/UPI |
License Photo
A U.S. Army band performs at a dress rehearsal. Pool Photo by Greg Nash/UPI | License Photo
National Guard troops are armed at the U.S. Capitol ahead of the inauguration. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
National Guard troops leave the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center during a lockdown that interrupted rehearsals for the inaugural ceremony. Pool Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo
Police and firefighters respond to a fire at a homeless encampment near the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The fire caused a security lockdown during the inauguration rehearsal. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
A barrier blocks road traffic leading to the Lincoln Memorial as security in the nation's capital has been tightened ahead of the inauguration. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Razor wire sits atop perimeter fences at the U.S. Capitol on Sunday. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
National Guard troops secure the nation's capital ahead of the upcoming inauguration. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Shields and other protective armor lie organized on the ground at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI. | License Photo
A perimeter fence is locked with chain and plastic handcuffs. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Biden and Harris memorabilia is locked up behind glass shelves at a shop in Union Station. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI. | License Photo
National Guard troops from the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment organize themselves at the beginning of their shift. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Employees from Hercules Fence attach razor wire to the 8-foot fencing surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI. | License Photo
A man takes a selfie on Saturday where preparations are taking place for the inauguration. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Members of the National Guard are assigned duty at the U.S. Capitol on Friday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Workers affix bunting outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Employees of the architect of the Capitol work on repairing one of the broken windows on the east entrance main door after the January 6 riot. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Workers place 10-foot concrete jersey barriers at the base of perimeter fences for extra safety surrounding the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Plastic covering is wrapped around a statue at the Reagan Building for protection against vandalism. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Workers place 8-foot-tall perimeter fencing around the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
The White House is seen on the background where a red X indicates a "do not enter" at a secure entrance to the Ellipse. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Workers with Hercules Fence install razor wire on the 8-foot-tall perimeter fence surrounding the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Workers hang bunting from a media riser for inauguration events. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo | License Photo
Protective armament is stacked up ready for use as thousands of members of the National Guard occupy the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Members of the National Guard occupying the U.S. Capitol rest in preparation for the inauguration. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
National Guard members stand at the ready around the perimeter fence and undergo preparation at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
House Majority Whip James Clyburn walks past sleeping members of the National Guard on January 13. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo