“But at the same time we are operating at a heightened level of vigilance because we are at a heightened level of threat. The threat of domestic violent extremists is very grave,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters in a conference call obtained by USA Today.
Manger also indicated that there were “over 8,000” threats last year, up from 4,000–5,000 a few years prior, in the form of phone calls, emails, and social media messages.
In a bill passed in July 2021, Congress allocated $300 million to upgrade security measures at Capitol Hill. The $300 million budget was “merely focused on windows and cameras” according to Capitol Architect Brett Blanton.
Under a separate budget, damaged windows from the Capitol Hill breach have been repaired, while door reinforcements have been put in place along with security lighting upgrades and electrical systems for surveillance detection, Blanton stated.
Of the 103 recommendations issued by the inspector general, Capitol Police has “implemented and/or addressed over 90 of them,” the testimony continued.
Based on recommendations from the Committee on Rules and Administration, Capitol Police will be implementing additional training and communication enhancements, among other measures.
The former president has cancelled his press conference at Mar-a-Lago previously scheduled on Thursday, the one-year anniversary of the Capitol Hill incident.
