Twelve National Guard members have been removed from their mission to help secure the Biden inauguration on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, two U.S. officials told the Associated Press that the 12 National Guard members were removed from their assignments due to their ties with far-right fringe groups or extremist views posted online.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been busy vetting the 25,000 National Guard members deployed to stand guard at the U'S. Capitol during the Biden inauguration on Wednesday.

"Every single one of the 25,000 Guardsmen now in D.C. has been vetted by the FBI that carries out background checks as part of the credentialing process", officials said.

Defense officials have been extremely worried about a possible insider attack during the Biden inauguration. Their worries were prompted by the deadly riot that happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Pentagon hasn't found any "insider threat" to the Biden inauguration

In a statement, the National Guard said it cannot provide further details about the outcome of the FBI vetting process for those assigned to secure the Biden inauguration.

“Due to operational security, we do not discuss the process nor the outcome of the vetting process for military members supporting the inauguration," according to the National Guard.

However, there there is assurance, that no plot against President-elect Biden was found so far.

On Monday, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said there is "no intelligence indicating an insider threat" on Wednesday's event.

"As is normal for military support to large security events, the Department will vet National Guardsmen who are in Washington, DC. While we have no intelligence indicating an insider threat, we are leaving no stone unturned in securing the capital," Miller wrote. "This type of vetting often takes place by law enforcement for significant security events. However, in this case, the scope of military participation is unique."

National Guard members go through enhanced background checks

Separately, Major General William Walker told ABC's "Good Morning America" that the National Guard members go through a screening process before leaving their state. He pointed out, "They're repeatedly screened until they are actually put on the street."

Walker did not give details on the screening process if it included specific questions about the members' beliefs about the legitimacy of the election.

However, he told reporters they are carrying out enhanced background screening.

"No, it's all about the background. So, a regular background check is enhanced with more screening, more details and it's layered so the FBI is part of it, the Secret Service is part of it and once they are certain that there's no insider threat then that soldier, guardsman, or airman is given a credential," he said.

"There is no place for extremism in the military and we will investigate each report individually and take appropriate action," said a cryptic statement from an Army Spokesperson, not indicating what 'appropriate action' would include.

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