Extremists in the military and how to define and identify them a challenge for commanders By Sig Christenson, Staff writer
The National Guard’s deployment of thousands of troops to protect the inauguration of a new president was prompted by the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by right-wing radicals. But its removal of 12 of its own soldiers from that duty underscored a rising concern: how far has radicalization permeated the armed forces?
None of the guardsmen had ties to extremists, but two of them made “inappropriate” comments and texts, the National Guard Bureau said.
It was enough to chill those already worried about domestic terrorism. The armed forces have rules to weed out extremism in the ranks. The question now is whether commanders will be paying closer attention, some observers said.
Extremists in the military - and how to define and identify them - a challenge for commanders
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Members of the National Guard outside the U.S. Capitol at sunrise on Jan. 19.Matt McClain /The Washington Post
The National Guard’s deployment of thousands of troops to protect the inauguration of President Joe Biden was prompted by the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by right-wing radicals. But its removal of 12 of its own soldiers from that duty underscored a rising concern: How far has radicalization permeated the armed forces?
None of the guardsmen had ties to extremists, but two of them made “inappropriate” comments and texts, the National Guard Bureau said.