Scoop: House members fear DNC violence
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Democratic National Convention workers set up balloons at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 16, 2024. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images.
House Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention next week are being advised by congressional security officials not to book hotel rooms under their own names or engage with protesters if confronted, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The guidance comes as some Democratic lawmakers are fearful about their safety after being rattled by a series of disruptive pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas war started last year.
- One House Democrat told Axios they are "very concerned" about their personal security and that "of course" other lawmakers are as well.
- A senior House Democrat said law enforcement is telling members "not to go to a certain area, because they expect violence."
- "The protesters aren't staying in a designated protest site ... and there are people who are going to go and really try to cause trouble," the lawmaker predicted.
Driving the news: In guidance sent to Democratic congressional offices and obtained by Axios, the House sergeant-at-arms' office wrote, "If you are confronted by protesters, try not to engage and report to [Capitol Police]."
- The guidance said that law enforcement will try to confine protests to "designated demonstration areas" outside the inner security perimeter of the convention.
- House Democrats were also briefed on convention security last week and presented with a "thorough" security plan, according to three lawmakers on the call.
- One of the lawmakers told Axios that members were urged not to book hotel rooms in their names because "hotels have been getting random calls asking for people."
State of play: Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to converge on the convention in Chicago next week to protest U.S. funding for Israel's war in Gaza, Axios' Monica Eng reported.
- In a welcome packet sent to congressional Democrats, convention officials said the Secret Service, which is managing security at the event, "has been coordinating with all levels of law enforcement agencies" including the Capitol Police and the Chicago Police Department.
- The document added that the Secret Service have "provided over 400 hours of training to officers specifically for this event."
Zoom out: Members of Congress were evacuated from an event last November at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters on Capitol Hill after protesters blocked the door to the building.
- Scores of Democratic lawmakers have accused protesters of vandalizing or trying to force entry into their congressional offices.
- In December, Democrats launched a task force on member security in part to respond to the protests.
The bottom line: Several lawmakers expressed that there is little they can do beyond take reasonable precautions and hope that the security measures in place are enough.
- "What can we do," exclaimed one House Democrat.
- Said another: "We have to trust that the DNC has it figured out."
