Rising threats against lawmakers spur urgent calls for security upgrades
The death of political activist Charlie Kirk has reignited concerns about the escalating violence surrounding U.S. politics and sharpened the focus on the safety of federal lawmakers. Leaders on both sides of the aisle say the climate has become increasingly dangerous — and they’re calling for more protection.
“I’m at a loss for words. I’m not often at a loss for words,” said Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene when asked about Kirk’s killing.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen echoed those concerns, saying, “Political disagreements should never, never result in political violence. Violence has no place in our politics.”
Data reviewed by the National Investigative Unit shows an alarming trend: threats against members of Congress, their families, and staff have skyrocketed by 950% between 2016 and 2024.
Estimating the number of threats for this year, the U.S. Capitol Police tells us, “Our agents are on track to work through roughly 14,000 Threat Assessment Cases by the end of 2025.”
The U.S. Capitol Police continued with this statement:
“The deadly shooting in Utah is a tragedy. Our hearts go out to the Kirk family. We have been operating in a heightened threat environment for a long time. Our officers, agents and professional staff remain focused as they work around the clock. Although, for safety reasons we cannot provide specific details about our increased security posture, we continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to carry out our critical mission.”
Greene, who has faced frequent threats herself, warned: “I am very concerned. I have some of the most death threats in Congress, and they’re always ongoing.”
“We’re in a deliberate review process right now to determine what measures are appropriate, how much we could allocate for that,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently increased funding for member security, which doubles the lifetime allotment for residential security to $20,000 and provides a temporary $5,000 per month for personal security through the end of this year. In the Senate, a pilot program is now providing enhanced personal security for some lawmakers when they’re back in their home states. Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, who pushed for the initiative, said threats of violence need attention, expressing, "Every member needs to be protected at this point."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also urged unity, adding: “We have to figure out a better way to come together, not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans.”
With political violence on the rise, leaders warn that ensuring safety isn’t just about individuals — it’s about preserving democratic participation.
