The FBI Shares My Fears About Inauguration Day

Here's what I wrote five days ago with regard to my worst fear about Inauguration Day:

While there is no doubt there will be heavy security in place during the Inauguration I nevertheless fear for President-elect Biden, Vice-President-elect Harris and even Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts who will administer the oath of office. A not insignificant number of law enforcement and military personnel have been radicalized by Trump's hatred with some evidently participating in the siege of Capitol Hill.

All it would take is one rogue Secret Service agent, soldier or police officer to turn his gun on Biden, Harris, Roberts and possibly others. From there I could see Trump dramatically emerging from the crowd, from a helicopter or on video proclaiming the Constitution has been suspended and that he is President for Life.

Of course, I am far from alone in feeling this way. Fortunately so does the FBI:

U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, prompting the FBI to vet all of the 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.

The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. And it 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.

It is sad that it has come to this, but better safe than sorry. Of course, the FBI can do all the vetting in the world but it does not a guarantee an attack won't happen from the inside. Like I said, all it takes is one rogue soldier. Should an assassination or assassination attempt occur during the Inauguration then confidence in the Bureau will erode significantly and swiftly. With American democracy at its most fragile state since The Civil War there is no margin for error.