The security situation is constantly “evolving” but there is “nothing credible” in terms of direct threats to the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said Sunday.
According to Cheatle, the Secret Service is coordinating with the Milwaukee Police Department and Chicago Police Department, as well as the FBI and other intelligence agencies, to prepare for and mitigate potential threats — including domestic and foreign terrorism. .
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee will be held July 15-18, and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago will be held August 19-22. Cheatle told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” that his agency has been planning both conventions for a year and a half.
“The environment we’re dealing with today is certainly different than it was four years ago,” Cheatle said, responding to a question about whether current political polarization poses a threat. “I am sure that we will also see an evolution in the next four years. But it’s definitely something we take into consideration.”
Regarding the protests, Cheatle said the Secret Service and city police departments respect individual First Amendment rights. RNC convention officials said the Secret Service agreed to make a park near Milwaukee off-limits to protesters, but the agency disputed that claim, The New York Times reported.
A coalition of pro-Palestinian groups also plans to protest the DNC, whether the city of Chicago grants them a license or not. In April, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said people would be allowed to protest as long as it remained safe for convention attendees.
“What concerns us is if these potential demonstrations turn violent then appropriate measures would be taken. But we certainly welcome people to come forward and be able to express their First Amendment rights,” Cheatle said.
While Cheatle doesn’t foresee different potential threats facing the RNC and DNC, she said each city and location requires specialized assets and resources. She added that she is “absolutely confident” in the Secret Service’s plans to secure the conventions in Milwaukee and Chicago.
