The United States Secret Service (USSS) will increase security on January 6, 2025, in an effort to “ensure the safety and security” of the upcoming counting of Electoral College votes at the Capitol.
The USSS confirmed the security measures in an email to Fox News Digital. The agency released a statement Wednesday noting that January 6, 2025 has been “designated as a National Special Security Event by the Secretary of Homeland Security.”
“This designation allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as state and local partners, to be used in a comprehensive security plan,” officials said in a statement. “When an event is designated as a National Special Security Event, the U.S. Secret Service assumes its mandated role as the lead agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan.”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had requested the increased security, the agency reported. The 2025 presidential inauguration, which will take place on Jan. 20, had previously been designated a National Special Security Event.
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Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his allegations of election fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
“This is the first time a National Special Security Event designation has been granted for a Certification of Electoral Votes and responds to a request made by the Mayor of DC to designate this event as a National Special Security Event,” the USSS statement reads. “Several reports, including those from the January 6 House Select Committee and the Government Accountability Office, also requested that the DHS Secretary consider a National Special Security Event designation for future Certification of Electoral Votes.”
In a statement, Special Agent Eric Ranaghan, who is in charge of the USSS Dignitary Protection Division, said the election voting session has been designated as an event “of the highest national importance.”
“The U.S. 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 of this event and its participants,” he said.
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Capitol Police officers stand outside fencing that was installed around the outside of the Capitol grounds, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
An Executive Steering Committee, which will consist of “senior representatives of federal, state and local law enforcement and public safety,” will meet to begin the formal planning process.
The request was made in direct response to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in which thousands of supporters of former President Trump stormed the Capitol to protest the counting of Electoral College votes.
On Tuesday night, ABC host David Muir asked Trump if he had any regrets about Jan. 6 during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump storm the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
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“I had nothing to do with it, except that I was asked to make a speech,” the Republican candidate replied.
The Department of Homeland Security's designation puts the Secret Service in charge of security instead of the U.S. Capitol Police, the Washington Post first reported.
