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The Department of Homeland Security has designated January 6, 2025, when Congress certifies the presidential electoral votes, as a “National Special Security Event.”

What’s the deal: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has declared the January 6, 2025, certification of electoral votes as a “National Special Security Event” (NSSE). This designation, typically reserved for events like the Super Bowl or major political conventions, puts the US Secret Service in charge of a high-level security plan. It will mobilize federal, state, and local resources to safeguard the event and maintain the integrity of the process. Multiple law enforcement agencies will collaborate, implementing strict measures to address potential threats.

What the Secret Service is saying: In a statement, a spokesman for the Secret Service said, “The US Secret Service, in collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners are committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated security plan to ensure the safety and security of this event and its participants.”

Why this is happening: According to officials, the heightened security designation is happening in response to what unfolded on January 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump entered the Capitol and delayed certification of the 2020 election results.