News Releases

The number of United States Capitol Police (USCP) threat assessment cases has climbed for the second year in a row. In 2024, the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section (TAS) investigated 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against the Members of Congress, including their families and staff. The number of concerning statements and direct threats usually increases during election years.

Here are the TAS case numbers for the last five years:

“On Tuesday, January 21, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area. At approximately 1:15 p.m., USCP officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) and taken a Capitol tour.

“At the request of the President-elect and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the 60th Inauguration will be held inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The ticketed areas outside, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, will now be closed to ticketed guests on Monday, January 20, due to the extremely cold weather that is expected in Washington, D.C. The United States Capitol Police, along with our law enforcement partners, will still have a heightened security posture with an increased law enforcement presence and layers of physical security.

01/17/25 – UPDATE: “At the request of the President-elect and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the 60th Inauguration will be held inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The ticketed areas outside, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, will now be closed to ticketed guests on Monday, January 20, due to the extremely cold weather that is expected in Washington, D.C. The United States Capitol Police, along with our law enforcement partners, will still have a heightened security posture with an increased law enforcement presence and layers of physical security.

United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers arrested a man who attempted to set his car on fire along First Street, NW, near the Grant Memorial.

Just before 5:30 p.m., USCP officers were alerted to a man who had parked on First Street, NW. The man had lit a bag, which was on top of his car, on fire. While officers ran over to the man, the bag extinguished on its own. The man was arrested. 

United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers prevent a man from bringing a machete and three knives past a screening checkpoint in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).

Just after 2:00 p.m., during security screening at the CVC’s north doors, USCP officers spotted a machete in a bag, which was going through the x-ray machine. Officers stopped the machine and searched the bag, which contained a machete and three knives. 

UPDATE: The service at the U.S. Capitol, and the public viewing time, have been shifted due to the weather. 

The private ceremony now starts at 4:30 p.m. and the public viewing starts at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7. 

The late President Jimmy Carter will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, through 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January, 9. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects during public viewing hours.

On Monday, January 6, 2025, the counting and certification of the electoral vote for the 2024 election will be held in the U.S. Capitol.

Security is enhanced across Capitol Grounds, including enhanced physical security measures, increased patrols, additional officers, and coordination from outside partner agencies.