Joe Biden's daughter Ashley 'worried' for dad's safety at inauguration, says Capitol violence 'causes trauma'
President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 elections was a cause for celebration for most of the nation. But after President Donald Trump's involvement in reportedly inciting a violent mob to barge into the Capitol on January 6, 2021, most of the nation is worried for the new president's safety. So much so that security measures are heightened with the FBI vetting of 25,000 members of the National Guard in Washington, DC, since defense officials are reportedly worried about an insider attack from service members. The list of well-wishers is long and among those worried is Biden's daughter Ashley Biden who has expressed concerns over her father's safety around inauguration day.
In her first-ever interview, which is set to air on Tuesday, Ashley expressed fears for her father in the wake of the violent Capitol riots that shook the nation barely a fortnight ago. Speaking to Today's Jenna Bush Hager, Biden's daughter was asked if she was "scared for the safety of her loved ones." This was a small sneak peek into the interview that aired on 'NBC Nightly News' on Monday.
"I think anybody you know that you love who's being threatened, yes, you worry," Ashley told Hager. "However, the Secret Service are incredible. The violence deeply saddens me. And it causes so much trauma."
The interview, which will see Ashley live in conversation with four of Biden's grandchildren will air on Tuesday. This is her first television interview and it will also discuss Biden's path to presidency, his relationship with his wife Dr Jill Biden and how the family handled the very high-stakes presidential election. At the same time, the exclusive chat will also see them discuss Jill's love for the 78-year-old president, his journey in the presidential election, along with reflecting on the unfortunate loss of loved ones over the years.
Ashley addressed her fears following serious security concerns sparked by the deadly US Capitol riot when Trump supporters stormed the building. The January 6 "insurrection" in Washington, DC, has ignited the vetting process of 25,000 National Guard troops. Trump has long maintained that he will not be attending the inauguration on January 20, 2021. But the defense is worried that there might be an insider attack from service members just as Biden is set to take office. On Monday, during Biden's inauguration rehearsal, Capitol building was locked down after a fire sparked a security threat and the gathering had to be evacuated.
Speaking to the AP on Sunday, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said that officials are aware of a potential threat, but no evidence has been found. "We’re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation," McCarthy told the news outlet, adding, "The question is, is that all of them? Are there others? We need to be conscious of it and we need to put all of the mechanisms in place to thoroughly vet these men and women who would support any operations like this."