Additional security measures will be in place on January 6, 2025, of course
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Capitol Police welcomes the Department of Homeland Security’s special security designation for January 6, 2025, when Congress will meet to certify the Electoral College vote count for the winner of the presidential election.
The last time Congress was held accountable, a pro-Trump mob stormed the building and ultimately broke through police barricades, seriously injuring officers and disrupting proceedings.
Former President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spurred the rioters by falsely claiming he won the 2020 election when in fact he had lost the popular vote and the Electoral College.
As one of the most secure buildings in the country was occupied, members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence were evacuated or told to take shelter in their offices.
Federal prosecutors have since struck down convictions or plea deals against hundreds of people who assaulted law enforcement and obstructed Congress from fulfilling its responsibility to certify that day’s votes.
“Designating a national special security event will further enhance our efforts to protect members of Congress and the legislative process,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in a written statement Thursday.
“The U.S. Capitol Police have been preparing for months for the vote count and inauguration on January 6,” Manger added. “We have made hundreds of changes and improvements over the past three years and we are confident the Capitol will be safe and secure.”
National Special Security Events (NSSEs) are expected to occur to some extent at major events such as the State of the Union address, the presidential inauguration, and the presidential nominating conventions held every four years by both the Democratic and Republican parties.
However, this will be the first time Congress has issued certification of the Electoral College vote.
The designation means the U.S. Secret Service will be the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for planning security for the event, even though the event is being held at the U.S. Capitol, which generally has the highest jurisdiction.
“National Special Security Incidents are events of the highest national significance,” Eric Ranaghan, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s VIP Protection Division, said in a statement. written statement Published Wednesday. “The U.S. Secret Service, working with our federal, state and local partners, is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive and comprehensive security plan to ensure the safety of this event and its participants.”
