DHS Declares National Security Event For January 6, 2025: Here's What To Expect!

This decision follows a plea from the city's mayor and recommendations from the now-dissolved J6 committee.

As reported by The Post Millennial, the USSS, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a press release stating, "The 2025 Counting and Certification of Electoral Votes in Washington, DC on Jan. 6, 2025, has been designated a National Special Security Event by the Secretary of Homeland Security." This designation is a first for a Certification of Electoral Votes event, and it was prompted by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's request. The press release further noted, "Various reports including from the House Select January 6 Committee and the Government Accountability Office also called for the DHS Secretary to consider a National Special Security Event designation for future Certification of Electoral Votes."

This announcement from the USSS comes amidst mounting criticism of the agency's security lapses during a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. These lapses allegedly led to an assassination attempt on former President Trump. Reports suggest that the USSS headquarters advised agents associated with Trump's security detail against requesting additional security on several occasions. Critics argue that this could indicate a bias against Trump within the agency, particularly in the lead-up to the assassination attempt.

Following the assassination attempt, Kimberly Cheatle, the head of the USSS, resigned after a disastrous hearing scrutinizing her leadership of the agency. Several USSS agents were subsequently placed on administrative leave.

September 13, 2024

In a further development, the USSS has also designated January 20, the day of the presidential inauguration, as a National Special Security Event. This move underscores the agency's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of these pivotal democratic events, despite the recent controversies surrounding its operations.