Airbnb reviewing DC-area reservations ahead of inauguration

Airbnb is reviewing reservations in the greater Washington, D.C., area ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid fears of potentially violent demonstrations.

The online service is banning any individuals associated with last week’s violent insurrection at the Capitol from renting on its platform.

It is also expanding existing security checks for potential renters leading up to the inauguration.

Local officials had encouraged Airbnb and other similar services to tighten restrictions on rentals – or halt them altogether – during the potentially dangerous period.

“There’s no way to guarantee that your guests are not coming to incite violence,” Janeese Lewis George (D), a progressive Washington city council member, tweeted. “Please protect your neighbors and the District from more attacks.” 

Airbnb has had a policy of banning individuals tied to hate groups from renting through its platform since the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va.

Federal and local law enforcement have signaled that they will be on high alert in the run-up to the transition of power next week based on threats of violence that have been found online.