As the country’s legal system continues to sort through the mess created by the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has declared the upcoming four-year anniversary of the incident as a “national special security event.”
The United States Secret Service (USSS) made the announcement on Wednesday September 11. In a press release, the federal agency explained that the beefed up security would fall on January 6, 2025—the same day that the electoral votes from the 2024 presidential election would be counted and certified.
The safety concern comes almost four years after a mob of citizens swarmed the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., trying to interfere with the certification process that was about to make President Joe Biden’s election win official. The incident was spearheaded by supporters of Donald Trump, who backed his allegations that the election had been rigged.
As a result, hundreds of protestors—some of whom illegally stormed and forced their way inside the Capitol—have been arrested and charged for their actions. The former president has been granted certain immunity from prosecution, although he could still face charges and punishment for allegedly inciting the riot.
In the USSS press release, the agency’s special agent of its Dignitary Protective Division, Eric Ranaghan, said that national special security event classification is reserved for events “of the highest national significance.” They combine resources and personnel of federal, state, and local law enforcement to establish a “comprehensive and integrated security plan” to control potential threats surrounding the event.
The government agency’s announcement comes after the third anniversary of the incident, at which time both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the riot. Back in January, Biden noted that “democracy was tested” on that day because of what he described as a “violent mob” which was “fueled by lies.”
Harris, for her part, emphasized the need to be “reminded” of the fearful event and encouraged others that there is “still work to do” to ensure protection of American democracy and “fundamental freedoms.”
