The U.S. Secret Service is planning to ramp up security measures on Jan. 6, 2025, in order to ensure the safety and security of the upcoming Electoral College vote count at the Capitol. This decision comes after the date was designated a National Special Security Event by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The agency has confirmed that significant resources from the federal government, as well as from state and local partners, will be utilized for a comprehensive security plan. The Secret Service will be the lead agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan.
Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. had requested heightened security for the event. It is worth noting that the 2025 presidential inauguration, set to take place on Jan. 20, had previously been designated a National Special Security Event. This marks the first time a National Special Security Event designation has been granted for a Certification of Electoral Votes. Various reports, including those from the House Select January 6 Committee and the Government Accountability Office, called for the DHS Secretary to consider a National Special Security Event designation for future Certification of Electoral Votes.
Special Agent Eric Ranaghan, in charge of the USSS’s Dignitary Protective Division, stated that the electoral voting session has been designated as an event of the highest national significance. The Secret Service, in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated security plan to ensure the safety and security of the event and its participants. An Executive Steering Committee, consisting of senior representatives from law enforcement and public safety partners, will convene to start the formal planning process.
The decision to increase security measures on Jan. 6, 2025, was made in direct response to the 2021 Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, where thousands of former President Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol during the Electoral College vote count. When asked about the events of Jan. 6 during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump denied involvement and claimed he had only been asked to make a speech. Legal experts have noted that the Biden administration’s legal theory in the prosecution related to the Jan. 6 events is now in question, especially after a recent Supreme Court argument on the matter.
The USSS is taking the security of the upcoming Electoral College vote count very seriously and is working closely with various partners to ensure the safety of the event and participants. The designation of Jan. 6, 2025, as a National Special Security Event reflects the importance and significance of the event. With the development of a comprehensive security plan and the formation of the Executive Steering Committee, the Secret Service is committed to ensuring that such events proceed smoothly and securely, learning from past experiences and addressing the recommendations provided by various reports and committees.
