The U.S. Capitol Police found a razor near the scene of an attempted attack on three young women who work for Rep. Mike Carey, a Republican from Ohio. The incident occurred as the women were walking on Capitol Hill, and a man lunged at them with a razor, threatening to attack. While the women were not injured, they were shaken by the incident. This attempted assault is part of a recent series of attacks or crimes against congressional staff or lawmakers outside of the immediate Capitol complex since the beginning of 2023. Several of these incidents have been violent, according to court filings and police reports reviewed by CBS News.
The House Committee on Administration called the U.S. Capitol Police chief to testify about the crime risks facing those who work at the Capitol complex. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger discussed new initiatives being launched to protect the thousands of people who work on Capitol Hill from being targeted or assaulted near the complex or in their hometown offices. Manger mentioned other recent incidents, including carjackings and assaults, highlighting the need for increased security measures to protect those who work in and around the Capitol complex.
Some recent incidents include a Senate staffer suffering potential brain bleeding and a punctured lung in a stabbing attack near a restaurant in Northeast Washington, D.C., and a D.C. man attempting to trap Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in an elevator. These incidents have raised concerns among lawmakers, prompting the Capitol Police to adapt to respond to threats off the Capitol grounds. The agency is constructing a protective intelligence operations center to serve as a command center for protective units serving members of Congress and providing security measures at their homes.
Congressional leaders released a plan to provide funding for U.S. Capitol Police to recruit more officers and fill vacancies. The agency has been seeking funds to enhance intelligence capabilities, modernize security measures, and improve member safety both on Capitol Hill and in their home districts. Unlike other federal facilities, the Capitol complex is open to the public and surrounded by businesses and residential communities, making it more challenging to secure. Recent initiatives include issuing satellite phones to senators and providing police protection during air travel to address the evolving security threats.
In response to the rising number of threats against members of Congress, Capitol security officials have implemented new initiatives to protect lawmakers, staff, and visitors. With thousands of threat investigations in 2023, the Capitol Police are working to address security concerns both on Capitol Hill and in the surrounding neighborhoods. While some lawmakers have expressed concerns about nearby crime impacting staff, visitors, and future employees of Congress, others have disputed claims of heightened danger, highlighting the ongoing efforts to ensure safety throughout the Capitol complex and surrounding areas.
