In preparation for the counting and certification of electoral votes at the Capitol in January, which will be the first such event since the January 6 riot in 2021, the Secret Service has announced significantly increased security measures. The Department of Homeland Security has designated the event as a national special security event, similar to high-profile events like the State of the Union address and the Super Bowl. The Secret Service will oversee planning for the event.
The decision to enhance security for the electoral vote certification comes in response to the chaos that ensued during the 2021 count, when a mob of President Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the process confirming Joe Biden’s victory. The Secret Service emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of participants during the upcoming event.
The National Special Security Event designation will unlock federal, state, and local resources for use in the security plan. The Secret Service also noted that a panel of representatives from various law enforcement agencies will meet in the coming weeks to collaborate on planning. The decision to increase security measures was influenced by reports from the former House Jan. 6 committee and the Government Accountability Office.
The 2021 attack on the Capitol resulted in four deaths and numerous assaults on police officers. The riot also caused around $1.5 million in damage to the building. The Secret Service’s efforts to enhance security for the upcoming electoral vote certification aim to prevent a similar situation from occurring again.
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