Rep. Steve Cohen Says National Guard White Male Members Might Be a Threat

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Jan 18, 2021 10:27 PM EST

Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen has expressed his concerns over National Guard securing President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.

Cohen suggested that white male members within the National Guard could be a threat, claiming that most white men did not vote for Bide, according to a Breitbart News report.

Cohen claimed that 75 percent of the Guard protecting the Capitol are in the class that might want to do something.

The democrat representative said in an interview that he had been reminded that former India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards.

Cohen further said that any Trump supporters within the National Guard units were suspicious.

Cohen said that the National Guard is around 90 percent male and about 20 percent of white males voted for Biden.

"You've got to figure that in the Guard, which is predominantly more conservative ... they're probably not more than 25 percent of the people there protecting us that voted for Biden. The other 75 percent are in the large class of folks that might want to do something," Biden was quoted on a Fox News report.

Cohen's Statement Backlash

Cohen received criticisms for his comments on the matter.

Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler struck Cohen for suggesting that any Trump supporter was a possible "seditionist."

Glenn Kessler wrote in a tweet, saying what happened to the notion that military people are professionals and do their jobs despite their political leanings.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy earlier said that he and other officials have not yet seen any evidence of threats and the vetting process that has not led to any red flags.

McCarthy said that they are continually going through the process and taking a second, third look at every individual involved in the operation.

The comments were also met with quick criticisms on social media, with some saying that Cohen questioning the loyalty of the military is irresponsible, reckless, and stupid, according to a Washington Examiner report.

National Guardsman Evaluated

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Chris Miller said in a statement that they have no intelligence indicating an insider threat. However, they added that they are leaving no stone unturned in securing the capital.

Miller added that this type of vetting usually takes place by law enforcement for important security events, according to an ABC News Go report.

Miller, however, said that in this case, the scope of military participation is unique.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's screening of National Guardsmen started as they arrive at the D.C. Armory.

National Guard spokesman Maj. Matthew Murphy said that guardsman involved in the operation gets their photo taken. Murphy added that they also need to hand over their military ID card.

Their military ID cards are then placed into a database used by the FBI for background checks.

Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, said that if there is any sign that any of their soldiers or airmen are leaning into extremist views, it is either handed over to law enforcement or dealt with the chain of command right away.