Joe Biden's military honor guard rehearses in front of the Capitol in preparation for the inauguration before being cut short due to emergency evacuation after fire broke out nearby
Joe Biden's military honor guard rehearsed in front of the Capitol on Monday morning in preparation for the inauguration before the practice run was cut short due to an emergency evacuation after a fire broke out nearby.
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, which has participated in every inauguration ceremony parade since 1961, were seen walking in unison as they played their instruments. Other military band members beat drums and blared horns as they passed by the Capitol building.
Hundreds of United States military members, including Air Force members, the Honor Guard and the Commander in Chief’s Guard, were also seen assembling in Washington DC, as security personnel patrolled the Washington Monument Grounds.
A stand-in for president-elect Biden was seen being sworn in on the podium, accompanied by a stand-in for his wife Dr. Jill Biden. Stand-ins were also in place for vice president-elect Kamala Harris, as well as VP Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence, former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
There was not a stand-in for President Trump, who is snubbing the event and is instead holding a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, before flying to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
But the rehearsal was interrupted and members were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out in a homeless encampment under a bridge near the Capitol building and an emergency announcement began playing. There have been no reports of injuries yet.
Photos and videos from the scene show people running from bleachers that were set up ahead of the event and staffers were sent text messages telling them to stay away from windows.
Those participating in the rehearsal were directed to head indoors and moved in the direction of a secure location inside the Capitol complex.
Officials had already pushed back the rehearsal a day due to security concerns over mounting fears of violence on Wednesday following the ill-prepared response to the deadly Capitol riots on January 6.
Joe Biden's military honor guard rehearsed in front of the Capitol on Monday morning in preparation for the inauguration before being cut short due to an emergency evacuation after a fire broke out nearby
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps , which has participated in every inauguration ceremony parade since 1961, were seen walking in unison as they played their instruments
Other military band members beat drums and blared horns as they passed by the Capitol building
A stand-in for president-elect Biden was seen being sworn in on the podium, accompanied by a stand-in for his wife Dr. Jill Biden
A stand-in portraying U.S. President-elect Joe Biden rehearses the upcoming inauguration in the President's Room at the U.S. Capitol
White House Marine sentries are seen during a dress rehearsal for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration, as windows damaged by the Capitol riots on January 6 have yet to be fixed
The platform for the swearing-in ceremony during a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Dress Rehearsal Ahead of Biden Inauguration
Air Force members and the Commander in Chief’s Guard were seen assembling in the area, as security personnel were seen patrolling the Washington Monument Grounds
Members of the United States military arrive ahead of an inauguration rehearsal at the Capitol, in Washington DC
But the rehearsal was cut short and members were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out in a homeless encampment near the Capitol building and an emergency announcement began playing. There have been no reports of injuries
Photos and videos from the scene show people running from bleachers that were set up ahead of the event and staffers were sent text messages telling them to stay away from windows
Members of the military band evacuate from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol during a rehearsal the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol
Officials had already pushed back the rehearsal a day due to security concerns over mounting fears of violence on Wednesday following the ill-prepared response to the deadly Capitol riots on January 6
United States President-elect Joe Biden makes remarks announcing "Key Members of White House Science Team" from the Queen Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware
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Last week the FBI confirmed it would be vetting all of the 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington, stemming from fears there could be an insider attack or other threat from service members on the day.
The National Guard has been authorized to use lethal force to protect the Capitol, police officers and members of Congress.
The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly insurrection earlier this month by pro-Trump rioters.
It also 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.
One Army reservist with 'secret' security clearance has already been arrested for his alleged part in the Capitol siege earlier this month.
Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, 30, of New Jersey was described in court papers as an 'avowed white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer' who allegedly 'encouraged' other violent rioters before being charged Friday.
The riot at the Capitol, which left five people dead, has led to a reckoning unprecedented in American history. President Donald Trump told the crowd to march to the Capitol and that 'you'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.'
At least 22 current or former members of the U.S. military or law enforcement have been identified as being at or near, with more than a dozen others under investigation but not yet named.
In many cases, those who stormed the Capitol appeared to employ tactics, body armor and technology such as two-way radio headsets that were similar to those of the very police they were confronting.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press on Sunday that officials are conscious of the potential inauguration threat, and 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.
Stand-ins were also in place for vice president-elect Kamala Harris, as well as VP Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence
Stand-ins for former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama were also in attendance
Military Band members dressed in 18th century costumes rehearse near the U.S. Capitol Hill
Four law enforcement officials told The Associated Press there had been a blaze several blocks over and the rehearsal was evacuated in an abundance of caution. The Capitol complex and surrounding areas have been locked down since January 6
The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly insurrection earlier this month by pro-Trump rioters
It also 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
One Army reservist with 'secret' security clearance has already been arrested for his alleged part in the Capitol siege earlier this month
At least 22 current or former members of the U.S. military or law enforcement have been identified as being at or near, with more than a dozen others under investigation but not yet named
The riot at the Capitol, which left five people dead, has led to a reckoning unprecedented in American history. President Donald Trump told the crowd to march to the Capitol and that 'you'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong'
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
'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.
Hale-Cusanelli, the arrested army reservist with 'secret' security clearance, is alleged to have told other rioters to 'advance'.
He now faces charges including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, The New York Post reports.
An affidavit says he has access to 'a variety of munitions' in his role at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck. It is understood Hale-Cusanelli told an informant 'if they'd had more men they could have taken over the entire building'.
A complaint states: 'Hale-Cusanelli also admitted to taking a flag and flagpole that he observed another rioter throw 'like a javelin' at a Capitol Police officer, which Hale-Cusanelli described as a 'murder weapon.'
'Hale-Cusanelli stated his intent to destroy or dispose of the flag and flagpole as soon as he could.'
About 25,000 members of the National Guard are streaming into Washington from across the country - at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals.
And while the military routinely reviews service members for extremist connections, the FBI screening is in addition to any previous monitoring.
Multiple officials said the process began as the first Guard troops began deploying to D.C. more than a week ago. And they said it is slated to be complete by Wednesday.
About 25,000 members of the National Guard are streaming into Washington from across the country - at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals
The National Guard has been authorized to use lethal force to protect the Capitol, police officers and members of Congress
U.S. military units march in front of the Capitol, in Washington, as they rehearse for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, which will be held at the Capitol on Wednesday
Experts in homegrown extremism have warned for years about efforts by far-right militants and white-supremacist groups to radicalize and recruit people with military and law enforcement training
National Guard members take a staircase toward the U.S. Capitol building before a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. There are now fears of an inside plot to sabotage the event
Police officers and Secret Service agents stand guard at a check point near the Capitol ahead of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration
Preparations take place before a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021
'The question is, is that all of them? Are there others?' said McCarthy. 'We need to be conscious of it and we need to put all of the mechanisms in place to thoroughly vet these men and women who would support any operations like this.'
In a situation like this one, FBI vetting would involve running peoples' names through databases and watchlists maintained by the bureau to see if anything alarming comes up.
That could include involvement in prior investigations or terrorism-related concerns, said David Gomez, a former FBI national security supervisor in Seattle.
Insider threats have been a persistent law enforcement priority in the years after the September 11, 2001, attacks. But in most cases, the threats are from homegrown insurgents radicalized by al-Qaida, the Islamic State group or similar groups.
In contrast, the threats against Biden´s inauguration have been fueled by supporters of President Donald Trump, far-right militants, white supremacists and other radical groups.
Many believe Trump´s baseless accusations that the election was stolen from him, a claim that has been refuted by many courts, the Justice Department and Republican officials in key battleground states.
Experts in homegrown extremism have warned for years about efforts by far-right militants and white-supremacist groups to radicalize and recruit people with military and law enforcement training.