Kirk's assassination heightens safety concerns on Capitol Hill
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U.S. Capitol Police arrest a man for disrupting the Republican Study Committee news conference outside the Capitol on Sept. 2. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill, prompting congressional leaders to fast-track security reviews as members grow more anxious about their safety.
Why it matters: The shooting has deepened long-standing fears about lawmakers' safety and accelerated a debate about how to expand security protections.
- GOP leadership is working with the Sergeant at Arms on potential security upgrades, with those conversations in the initial stages, multiple sources told Axios.
- Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters Thursday morning that leadership is expediting a planned review of member security.
- "We have got to protect people running for public office or nobody will," Johnson said.
By the numbers: Threats against members of Congress have continued to rise.
- U.S. Capitol Police opened 9,474 threat investigations in 2024 — up from 8,000 in 2023 and 7,500 in 2022.
- A USCP spokesperson said the agency has been "operating in a heightened threat environment for a long time" but declined to detail new security measures for safety reasons.
Zoom in: At least two lawmakers canceled events after Kirk's assassination.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) postponed a Raleigh rally set for Sunday, citing both respect for Kirk and security concerns. She told Axios she had another event planned in a different part of the state too.
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) canceled a planned event at a college campus on Thursday.
- The NRCC has not put out official guidance on holding in-person events yet, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.
What they're saying: Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle told Axios the shooting has already reshaped how they think about personal security.
- "Outdoor events probably are going to be a lot fewer in numbers for members of Congress, at least in the short term." House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said, adding that he has concerns about his own personal safety.
- Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), a member of House Republican leadership, told Axios the shooting will impact how members hold town halls and meet with constituents.
- "That's going to be more of an indoor environment where it can be controlled," Hern said.
- House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) told Axios, "Sadly, these kinds of things I think change peoples' perspectives in the moment, so I'm sure people will be thinking about it."
Yes, but: Some members warned that increased funding for security may not be the only answer.
- "You could have had a fleet of security guards, and no one would have noticed a guy laying down on the rooftop," Comer said.
- Johnson said it would cost "billions" to provide complete security details to all members, and would require hiring 5,000 more Capitol Police officers.
- "It's not a possibility. So we're looking at all angles," he said.
What's next: A renewed push for enhanced security measures is likely to dominate on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks.
• Congress increased funding for security over the summer, but Johnson said not enough members have utilized it yet.
