Congress to get enhanced security for Jan. 6 election certification

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated the upcoming Jan. 6, 2025, certification of the presidential election as a national special security event (NSSE). This designation is reserved for events of national importance that might attract criminal or terrorist activity, such as presidential inaugurations, political conventions, and international summits like the U.N. General Assembly.

This is the first time a presidential election certification event has received this designation, underscoring heightened security concerns following the 2021 Capitol riot, where rioters disrupted Congress’ certification of the 2020 election. The designation places the U.S. Secret Service in charge of planning and managing security measures, ensuring tighter control and coordination across federal, state, and local agencies.

What are the key security measures for the January 6 certification?

With the NSSE designation, the U.S. Secret Service is responsible for coordinating security efforts alongside other agencies like the Capitol Police, FBI, and DHS. Security planning will reportedly focus on:

• Enhancing protective measures around the Capitol building and key congressional members.
• Preventing the infiltration of unauthorized individuals into restricted areas, a lesson learned from the breach in 2021.
• Deploying federal resources for crowd control, intelligence gathering, and immediate response to any potential security threats.

What were the consequences of the 2021 Capitol riot on future election security?

Officials say the riot that occurred in 2021 exposed significant vulnerabilities in election-related security measures. Despite prior warnings and intelligence reports suggesting the potential for unrest, security forces were unprepared for the scale of the attack. In the aftermath, over 1,500 people were charged with crimes, including those who stormed the Capitol and assaulted law enforcement officers.

"National Special Security Events are events of the highest national significance," Eric Ranaghan, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Dignitary Protective Division, said in a statement. The agency and its partners "are committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated security plan to ensure the safety and security of this event and its participants," he said.

The Secret Service is facing significant scrutiny following a high-profile security breach during an assassination attempt on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the incident, Thomas Matthew Crooks gained access to a building and fired shots as Trump addressed the crowd, with one bullet grazing the former president's ear. 

The agency's response has been widely criticized, leading to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle after intense questioning in a congressional hearing. Multiple investigations are underway to examine the agency's security protocols and decision-making processes leading up to the incident.

The Source:

This article is based on information from an Associated Press report published on September 12, 2024, and statements from the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security. Additional insights were provided by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.