In January, the election votes were counted and certified at the Capitol – the first since then January 6 riots in 2021 — will come with significantly increased security, the Secret Service said Wednesday.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated January 6 as a national special security event, giving it the same level of security as events such as the State of the Union and the Super Bowl. The Secret Service will oversee the planning.
The first appointment to certify electoral votes is intended to prevent a repeat of the chaos caused by mobs of President Donald Trump’s supporters nearly four years ago. He stormed the Capitol Breaking that year’s tally that confirmed Joe Biden’s victory.
“National Special Security Activities are events of the highest national importance,” said Eric Ranaghan, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Dignity Protection Unit. in the statement Wednesday. “The US Secret Service, in collaboration with our federal, state and local partners, is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated security plan to ensure the safety and security of this event and its participants.”
The appointment is usually reserved for special events such as the Republican and Democratic national conventions, the United Nations General Assembly, and presidential inaugurations.
The Washington Post reported first New security designation for January vote counting.
The Secret Service said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser requested the appointment. City Hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
The Secret Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, also cited the former House Jan. 6 committee reports. Government Accountability OfficeHomeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had been asked to consider enhanced security measures.
The Secret Service said the designation would unlock federal, state and local resources to be used in the security plan. He added that a panel of representatives from various levels of law enforcement will meet “in the coming weeks” to work on planning.
According to the Department of Justice, in 2021, as a result of the attack on the Capitol, 4 people died and about 140 police officers were attacked. The riot also caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage to the building.
Megan Lebowitz contributed.