TWELVE U.S. National Guard members have been removed from securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after vetting by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including two who made extremist statements in posts or texts about the event, Pentagon officials said. There were no specific threats to Biden.

All 12 were found to have ties with right-wing militia groups or posted extremist views online. The officials, a senior intelligence official and an army official briefed on the matter, did not say which fringe groups the Guard members belonged to or what unit they served in. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity. The officials told the AP they had all been removed because of “security liabilities.”

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard, confirmed that Guard members had been removed and sent home but he said only two were for inappropriate comments or texts related to the inauguration. The other 10 were for other potential issues that may involve previous criminal activity or activities, but not directly related to the inaugural event.

Moreover, U.S. President Donald Trump, in a farewell address released on Tuesday, touted his legacy and wished luck to the new administration of President-elect Joe Biden but without acknowledging his successor by name.

Trump has refused to offer a full concession to Democrat Biden. “This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” the Republican president said in recorded remarks. “We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck - a very important word.”

“The greatest danger we face is a loss of confidence in ourselves, a loss of confidence in our national greatness,” Trump said. He touted what he had achieved during the four-year term.

“As I conclude my term as the 45th President of the United States, I stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together,” Trump said.

Almost concurrently, Biden, flying a private jet, arrived in Washington, D.C. for inauguration.

Trump yesterday granted pardon to 73 people, including his former White House adviser Steve Bannon, in his last day in office, the White House said.

Bannon, 67, was charged last year with defrauding Trump supporters of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a border wall fundraising campaign. He has pleaded not guilty.

Bannon was an architect of Trump’s 2016 election victory and later served as chief White House strategist. He left the White House in August 2017.

“Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” the White House said in a statement.

The 73 individuals Trump granted clemency also include Elliott Broidy, a major Republican Party fundraiser who pleaded guilty in October to violating foreign lobbying laws.

(SD-Xinhua)