Fact Check Team: New security measures in place for some lawmakers, politicians

WASHINGTON (TND) — Members of Congress are experiencing a surge in threats and confrontations. Now, with the Supreme Court back in session, The National Desk’s Fact Check Team is looking into the possible safety risks for lawmakers and politicians.

Violent threats against politicians have been on the rise.

According to Capitol Police, violent threats against politicians hit a record number of just over 9,600 last year and in the first quarter of 2022 alone, Capitol Police opened over 1,800 cases. That number includes statements as well.

These political threats started trending upwards when former President Donald Trump took office. Capitol Police fielded 902 threats in 2016 but that number shot up to almost 4,000 in 2017 and continued rising each year.

In July, Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate for governor of New York, was attacked on stage at a campaign event. Also over the summer, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., received more than a dozen threats and a man with a gun was arrested outside of the home of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

Also, after the Roe v. Wade draft leaked, a man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house with a gun, zip ties and several other tools. He told an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that he traveled all the way from California with the intent to kill the justice.

Officials say in these cases, most of the time getting mental health treatment may be more beneficial than jail but when they don’t believe that type of help is plausible or the threat is serious and imminent, they make an arrest.

A University of California - Davis survey shows 67% of Americans think political violence is a serious threat to democracy.

Measures are now being taken to curb the violence. Congress passed a $1.9 billion emergency spending package last year to upgrade Capitol security as a response to Jan. 6.

More recently, the House Sergeant at Arms created a security program that launched in August and it pays for up to $10,000 worth of security system equipment and installation costs at members’ homes. With this money, they can buy things like motion sensors, cameras, and locks. The program also covers monitoring and maintenance fees up to $150 a month.

This is only for House members. The National Desk reached out to Senate security officials but it’s not yet known if they have a similar program.

When asked about their security protocols, Capitol Police said for safety reasons, they don’t “discuss how security decisions are made, what measures are taken, or what resources go into protecting the members of Congress.”

However, they do say they are looking to hire roughly 280 officers this year. That’s about double the amount they normally hire and they are on track to do that.

Now, it seems that members are taking matters into their own hands. Security concerns have grown so pressing that many members of Congress are dipping into their own official or campaign accounts to protect themselves.

According to a New York Times analysis of congressional data, since just last year, they’ve spent more than $6 million on security, with Democrats spending about $9,000 more on average than Republicans.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. — who is up for reelection — has spent the most on security at over $600,000 last year. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is the second highest spender and Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga. is third.