Vice President Kamala Harris unknowingly came within 20 feet of a live pipe bomb at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters just before chaos erupted at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
According to NY Post, a detailed internal report by the Department of Homeland Security highlights a major lapse in security protocols.
The explosive device had been clandestinely placed near the DNC on the night of January 5, 2021. Despite the gravity of the upcoming electoral event, the Secret Service did not conduct security sweeps at the specific external site where the bomb was subsequently discovered.
Kamala Harris arrived at the DNC and entered the building on the morning of the attack, passing alarmingly close to where the bomb was concealed. It was an hour and forty minutes later when the device was identified, and even then, it took an additional ten minutes before Harris was hurriedly evacuated, spending almost two hours in the vicinity of the potential disaster.
The oversight revealed in the Homeland Security report is a stark reminder of the peril faced by public officials.
The identity of the individual who planted the pipe bombs remains a mystery. What deepens the concern is that the suspect had also placed a similar device at the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters. Surveillance has captured footage of the suspect with the explosives.
The Secret Service, in response to this significant security breach, has since improved its protocols, augmenting protection for elected officials who have not yet officially taken office. "The pipe bomb had been placed near the building the night before, but ... [a]dvance security sweeps by the Secret Service at the DNC building did not include the outside area where a pipe bomb had been placed."
This lapse occurred alongside a broader climate of national security threats, evidenced by an incident in July 2024, where former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.
The Secret Service has critically evaluated and adapted its measures following these events. Official statements note the compelling need for additional security assets for protectees, reflecting a resolve to prevent future oversights.
On January 6, 2022, President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris reflected on these dire events during the one-year commemoration of the Capitol insurrection. Their speeches highlighted the thin line between order and chaos in democratic institutions. "[Harris], traveling in an armored vehicle with her motorcade, entered the DNC building via a ramp within 20 feet of the pipe bomb."
The concrete threats on January 6, 2021, underline the constant and clear dangers faced by national leaders. Although the bombs did not detonate, their presence near such significant political figures and locations stresses the ongoing risks in such environments.
The close call with Vice President Kamala Harris and the subsequent revelations have prompted significant changes in security protocols for protectees.
While federal authorities continue to search for the suspect, the events have led to a critical reevaluation of protective measures during politically significant periods. These adaptations aim to shield elected officials more effectively, ensuring their safety amidst increasing national tensions.
