Scoop: Congressman wants to use drones to stop assassinations
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A House Democrat is introducing legislation in response to the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to have the federal government take steps towards using drones to stop similar incidents, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The shooting, coming just a year after the attempted assassinations of President Trump, has left lawmakers scrambling for ways to keep high-profile political figures — including themselves — safe.
- The Trump shootings led to a push for increased security for Secret Service protectees
- But this latest shooting has sparked a broader conversation about and how to protect even those without a government title from political violence.
Driving the news: Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) told Axios in a statement that he plans to introduce a bill this week directing the Department of Homeland Security to study the feasibility of deploying drones to secure public events and prevent assassination attempts.
- "Common sense dictates that drone technology should be harnessed to scan every elevated structure with a line of sight to a target," he said.
- "If drones can enable the early detection and prevention of assassination attempts, why not use them? Better to have vigilant eyes in the sky than to remain blind to would-be assassins."
Between the lines: Torres has been prolific in introducing security-related legislation after recent high-profile shootings.
- After the first Trump assassination attempt last July, Torres and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced a bill to provide equal Secret Service protection for all presidents and presidential candidates
- The bill passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by then-President Biden.
- Torres also proposed a bill that would have narrowed the Secret Service's mission to focus only on protecting political leaders, rather than also going after financial crimes.
Go deeper: Kirk's assassination heightens safety concerns on Capitol Hill
