National Special Security Events

National Special Security Events
Name	National Special Security Events
Caption	Secret Service emblem
Date	Established 2002
Location	United States
Participants	United States Secret Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation

National Special Security Events

National Special Security Events are a United States designation for high-profile gatherings requiring centralized protective security, established after the September 11 attacks to coordinate federal, state, and local resources for events involving heads of state, major political conventions, international summits, and major sporting events. The designation assigns lead responsibility to the United States Secret Service and integrates planning with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and local law enforcement to mitigate threats posed by terrorism, organized crime, and civil disturbance. Events designated under this program have included political party conventions, presidential inaugurations, and major international meetings, and they involve coordination with venues, transportation authorities, and intelligence partners.

Definition and Purpose

The program was created to provide a standardized framework for protective operations at events that could attract attackers, disrupt national continuity, or garner international attention, linking the United States Secret Service with partners like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Council, Department of Justice, and state entities such as the New York Police Department and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Purposeful functions include threat assessment with inputs from the National Counterterrorism Center, asset protection in concert with the United States Capitol Police, and venue security coordination with authorities such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the United States Department of Transportation. Designated events commonly intersect with international organizations such as the United Nations and multinational summits like the Group of Seven and Group of Twenty.

Legal Authority and Governance

Legal authority for designation and operational control stems from executive actions and statutes that expanded executive protective responsibilities after the September 11 attacks, implemented through the Presidential Decision Directive framework and executed under the aegis of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service. Governance involves interagency agreements with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for intelligence and criminal investigative jurisdiction, the Department of Justice for legal coordination, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and United States Department of Defense for specialized support when needed, and state-level memoranda with offices such as the Office of the Governor of New York or the Office of the Governor of California. Judicial and legislative oversight has occurred via hearings in the United States Congress, including committees like the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the United States House Committee on Homeland Security.

Designation Process

Events are nominated for designation by agencies, local authorities, or the United States Secret Service based on criteria including expected attendance by protectees from lists managed by the United States Presidential Protective Division, potential for mass casualty incidents, and the event’s significance on the international stage such as summits like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization meetings or sporting spectacles like the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games. The designation process entails threat assessments drawing on the National Counterterrorism Center, coordination with intelligence partners such as the Central Intelligence Agency, and consultations with venue operators like Madison Square Garden or municipal authorities like the City of New Orleans and City of Los Angeles. Final authority for operational control rests with the United States Secret Service Director, informed by interagency planning that includes representatives from Amtrak, Federal Aviation Administration, and local emergency management offices.

Security Planning and Coordination

Comprehensive security planning for designated events integrates counterterrorism measures from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, protective operations by the United States Secret Service, emergency response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and intelligence sharing with the National Counterterrorism Center. Planning layers include airspace restrictions coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, maritime security with the United States Coast Guard, transit security with agencies like Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and cyber protections involving the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Operational components often utilize resources from the National Guard under state governors, crowd management techniques practiced by the New York Police Department, and coordination with private venue operators such as Live Nation Entertainment. Incident command structures align with the National Incident Management System and often culminate in unified command centers staffed by representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, state police forces, and municipal agencies.

Notable Events

Historically designated events have included the 2004 Republican National Convention, 2004 Democratic National Convention, 2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, 2013 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, 2017 Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump, several editions of the Super Bowl, and international gatherings such as the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago and the 2016 North American Leaders' Summit. Designations have been applied to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and 2008 Republican National Convention, as well as major international sporting events like the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII and the 2016 Super Bowl 50. These operations required collaboration with agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, United States Secret Service Presidential Protective Division, United States Park Police, and municipal partners like the City of Chicago and the City of Philadelphia.

Criticisms and Controversies

Criticism has arisen over civil liberties concerns voiced by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and legal scrutiny in forums like the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit regarding police tactics, surveillance practices involving the National Security Agency and localized intelligence fusion centers, and the impact on protests exemplified during events in cities like Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Oakland, California. Concerns also address cost burdens debated in the United States Congress and reported by media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times over expenditures for events including presidential inaugurations and major sporting championships. Legal challenges have invoked statutes and precedents related to First Amendment to the United States Constitution protections, and oversight debates continue in hearings before committees like the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the United States Senate Judiciary Committee.

Category:United States security events