assault on Pelosi’s husband bolsters case for extra safety By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The assault on U.S. Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband highlights the necessity for extra money to guard lawmakers in a bitterly divided political local weather, the top of the Capitol Police mentioned on Tuesday.

Authorities are monitoring hundreds of circumstances throughout the nation to cease potential threats, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger mentioned in an announcement simply hours earlier than the person accused of beating Pelosi’s husband with a hammer was anticipated to make his first court docket look.

The assault was politically motivated, in response to prosecutors, who mentioned in court docket papers that the accused, David Wayne DePape, 42, mentioned that he needed to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and power her to inform “the reality.”

Pelosi has lengthy been a goal of conservative anger.

“We imagine at the moment’s political local weather requires extra sources to supply further layers of bodily safety for members of Congress,” Manger mentioned. “This plan would come with an emphasis on including redundancies to the measures which can be already in place for congressional management,” he mentioned with out offering particulars.

Pelosi and different prime leaders of Congress get full-time guards and different enhanced safety measures.

The assault got here shortly earlier than the Nov. 8 midterm elections and follows months of bitter campaigning as Republicans attempt to win management of the Home of Representatives and Senate.

Threats towards Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been on the rise. Capitol Police mentioned they investigated 9,625 incidents in 2021, almost a threefold enhance from 2017.

Manger mentioned the division is on monitor to fulfill its objective of hiring almost 280 officers by the top of this 12 months.

Safety measures for members of Congress and for the Capitol itself have been beneath intense scrutiny because the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the seat of presidency by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, who has refused to just accept Democrat Joe Biden’s victory within the 2020 presidential election.

The Capitol Police has opened regional subject places of work in California and Florida, with plans to open extra quickly to assist examine threats to lawmakers, Manger mentioned.

Additionally beginning this 12 months, members of Congress can have as much as $10,000 price of latest safety gear for his or her properties paid for by the federal government, a Home Democratic aide mentioned.

This might embody gadgets reminiscent of movement detectors, duress buttons, particular door and window locks and enhanced lighting. In addition they can rent personal safety corporations.

Lawmakers may also use their common workplace expense accounts to purchase bulletproof vests and different safety gear and Capitol Police have been rising coordination with native legislation enforcement businesses.