As National Guard members are vetted ahead of inauguration, Wisconsin troops not alarmed of extra precaution
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – The latest security concern surround Inauguration Day is a potential attack from within the ranks of those designated to protect the event.
The FBI is reviewing the backgrounds of National Guard members set to secure the inauguration. Troops from the Badger State are not concerned about the process.
“Our troops are certainly vetted at our level with security clearances and we are also not anticipating any issues with that,” Maj. Joe Trovato with the Wisconsin National Guard told CBS 58.
Wisconsin guard members left this weekend and are now in Washington D.C.
“They’re now integrating with more than 25,000 national guard troops from around the 54 states and territories,” Maj. Trovato said.
Trovato said Wisconsin troops will remain in Washington D.C. until local civil authorities tell them they’re no longer needed so it is not clear when they will return home.
Meanwhile, security measures at Wisconsin’s state Capitol like boarded up windows, concrete barriers and added police officer patrols remain in place.
State lawmakers were told to stay away from the Capitol in the days leading up to the inauguration for their personal safety and as a precaution to the general threat against state capitols and government buildings.
“It’s really sad to see,” Sen. Jon Erpenbach said in an interview.
Erpenbach said he feels safe with the proactive security steps law enforcement are taking but is also dismayed at what led to them.
“When politicians don’t tell the truth, this is what happens,” Erpenbach said.
The Democrat said he hopes lawmakers can turn down the temperature of rhetoric surrounding the election to avoid violence like what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
“The integrity of our elections, it’s very strong, the process is very strong,” Erpenbach said. “But the integrity of legislators who say things they know are not true, that’s why we are where we are today and they want to continue down this road to sow seeds of doubt around the election and it’s frustrating.”