by Wendi Strauch Mahoney
If one were to believe that Jan. 6 would be violent, one of the most pressing questions about how it was is still unanswered. Why was it never designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE)? Why were 2000 people able to “breach” the Capitol when pretty much everyone knew in advance that the crowds would be massive and possibly non-peaceful? According to the U.S. Office of Government Accountability (GAO), it would have been sensible to pre-designate J6 as an NSSE or even as a “Special Event Assessment Rating” (SEAR).
Absolutely compelling discussion with former USCP officer Tarik Johnson w/ @larryoconnor & @JGunlock on @WMALDC regarding what happened on #Jan6. Tarik's decision making and heroism protected lives.
Why didn't the @January6thCmte ask him to testify?https://t.co/7DjmzE3s8m
— Chris Palombi (@ChrisPalombi) March 15, 2023
The GAO’s August Capitol Attack report states, “NSSEs occur on an infrequent basis and
require extensive federal planning due to their national significance. In
comparison, SEAR events happen more frequently and are typically preplanned
by state and local entities. SEAR events can also be nationally significant but
are considered lower risk than an NSSE and require less federal
coordination and support. From 2017 to 2021, DHS designated 13 total NSSE events, eight of which occurred in the Washington, D.C. area.”
NSEE versus SEAR/GAO August 2021/https://www.gao.gov/assets/720/716108.pdf
NSSE are events considered by DHS and other federal agencies that might require coordinated and enhanced security. Instead, the Capitol Police, a force that is unprepared for riot control, seems to have been left to its own devices during most of the Capitol protests on Jan. 6.
