The White House and House Republicans are requesting nearly $90 million in funding to bolster security for Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, following the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
Last week’s killing of 31-year-old Kirk at a public speaking engagement has heightened safety concerns for both Democrats and Republicans, sparking fears of escalating tensions across the nation.
The White House has asked Congress for $58 million to approve security for the executive and judicial branches, citing a rise in threats against public officials after Kirk’s shooting. Concurrently, on Wednesday, House GOP leaders included an additional $30 million for security measures in their proposed budget, which aims to fund the federal government until mid-November.
According to the White House, these additional funds would be allocated to the U.S. Marshals Service to cover heightened security expenses for Supreme Court justices and executive branch personnel. The administration stated that this funding “is essential due to increased threats against public officials,” and would be accessible through September 2027, if approved.
The suggested $30 million for Congress is designated for the security of both House and Senate members and is also part of a contentious seven-week spending bill, which is encountering opposition from Democrats.
“The tragedy has also prompted several uncomfortable yet crucial discussions regarding significant matters such as the safety and security of our members,” House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Tuesday, referring to Kirk’s death.
After last week’s shooting, some prominent officials have either postponed or canceled scheduled events due to concerns about political violence.
Last week, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat with a history of receiving death threats, informed reporters that she would be rescheduling a rally planned for Raleigh, North Carolina.
Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina gubernatorial candidate, announced the cancellation of her outdoor and public events indefinitely.
“I will always carry a firearm, and I will have security,” Mace told the media outside the Capitol.
Johnson recently noted that Capitol Police have documented nearly 14,000 threats against federal officials this year, a significant increase from approximately 9,000 instances reported in 2024.
“Numerous security measures are implemented for members of Congress—at their residences, their offices, and during their travels,” Johnson commented to reporters. “But we exist in a perilous society, and it’s challenging to safeguard even the President of the United States from every possible threat. Ultimately, the fundamental issue lies within the human heart, and that is what we must confront.”
This year has witnessed an uptick in political violence and threats directed at federal officials.
In June, Democratic Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were victims of a targeted killing. Authorities disclosed that a “hit list” containing dozens of other Democrats the suspect intended to target was discovered. In April, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home was set ablaze while he and his family were present. Robert Phillip Ivers was arrested in September due to a threatening manifesto aimed at federal judges. In August, Democratic lawmakers from Texas were evacuated from an Illinois hotel following a bomb threat.
On Monday, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania informed reporters that the majority of lawmakers lack personal security.
“If someone intended to kill me, it would be simple,” Fetterman remarked.
