Airbnb says it will ban rioters from DC inaugural visits

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Airbnb says it will review all reservations in the Washington area and that anyone associated with a hate group will have their reservation canceled and will be banned from Airbnb. The company also said it is taking action against people involved in criminal activities at the Capitol, including a permanent ban on the platform.

Airbnb did not say what action would be taken outside the bans.

Airbnb steps may not prevent a person with violent intentions to remain on one of their properties. The names of all the people involved in the Capitol riots are not known, making it difficult to issue a comprehensive ban. Airbnb said it makes cross-reference to a Jan. 6 arrest warrant from the DC police department. The U.S. attorney’s press releases on the arrests and charges are also being examined.

Airbnb declined to say whether it has canceled any reservations since it extended its security plan for DC on Monday. Airbnb also declined to say whether it will review reservations near all state capitals, where armed protests are being planned, according to the FBI.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has encouraged Americans to stay away from the city and watch the inauguration online.

Hotels in the DC area will also have to fight the risks of hosting people who revolted last week at the Capitol.

Thomas Penny, president of Donohoe Hospitality Services, which operates 12 hotels in the DC area, said people involved in the Capitol events stayed at some of its hotels. But he said his hotels do not know who exactly participated in the violence.

Penny said her hotels dealt with some “problems,” but that overall guests were peaceful last week. He refused to detail what the problems were. He said his hotels near the Capitol will remain on board as a security precaution until after the opening, but will be open to business.

“We need people to be respectful of our team and follow the guidelines of our hotels,” Penny said. “As long as they do, be respectful of our people and follow our guidelines, we are here to welcome everyone.”

He said his hotels make the rates attractive to attract members of the National Guard. Thousands of National Guard soldiers are expected to be in the city to be attacked.

The Washington, DC Hotel Association did not respond to requests for comment.

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