Certification of Election Will Get Extra Security to Try to Prevent Another Capitol Attack

The Homeland Security Department approved adding federal, state and local resources to help protect the counting of Electoral College votes on Jan. 6, 2025.

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Heightened security near the Capitol before the presidential inauguration in January 2021.

In an effort to prevent another attack on the Capitol, the Department of Homeland Security has declared Jan. 6, 2025, to be a special event that requires added security measures when Congress meets to certify the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

The designation of a National Special Security Event, announced by Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the director of homeland security, on Wednesday means that significant federal, state and local resources will be directed toward the Capitol a few months from now to increase the security protections and a comprehensive security plan will be put in place.

The Secret Service will oversee the security plan.

“National Special Security Events are events of the highest national significance,” Eric Ranaghan, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Dignitary Protective Division, said in a statement, adding that Secret Service officials, in collaboration with federal, state and local 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.”

The Capitol was overrun on Jan. 6, 2021, by a pro-Trump mob that sought to halt the counting of the Electoral College votes from the 2020 election to disrupt the certification of President Biden’s victory. The Capitol Police force was caught unprepared for the mob violence, even though Mr. Trump had summoned the crowd to Washington days earlier and promised a “wild” rally.

After the attack, during which more than 150 police officers were injured and several people died, the Government Accountability Office recommended consideration of the special security designation.

Luke Broadwater covers Congress with a focus on congressional investigations. More about Luke Broadwater

See more on: 2024 Elections: News, Polls and Analysis, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Homeland Security Department, U.S. Secret Service