Airbnb says it will ban rioters from visits to DC inauguration

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Airbnb says it will review all reservations in the Washington area, and anyone associated with a hate group will have their reservations canceled and banned from Airbnb. The company also said it is taking action against individuals involved in criminal activity in the Capitol, including permanently banning the platform.

Airbnb did not say what would be prohibited outside.

Airbnb’s steps may not prevent a person with violent intent to stay in one of his properties. The names of every person involved in the Capitol riots are not known, making it difficult to issue a comprehensive ban. Airbnb said it refers to a Jan. 6 arrest log from DC police. It also looks at arrests and charges in US Attorney press releases.

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

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

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

Penny said his hotels had a few “issues,” but last week’s guests were generally quiet. He refused to elaborate on what the problems were. He said his hotels near the Capitol will remain boarded up until after the inauguration as a security measure, but will remain open for business.

“We require people to be respectful of our team and follow our hotel’s guidelines,” said Penny. “As long as they do that, are respectful of our people and follow our guidelines, we are here to welcome everyone.”

He said his hotels are making rates attractive to attract members of the National Guard. Thousands of National Guard troops are expected to be in the city for inauguration.

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

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