The U.S. government has designated the certification of the 2024 presidential electoral votes on January 6, 2025, as a 'National Special Security Event' (NSSE) to prevent a repeat of the 2021 Capitol riot. This is the first time such a designation has been made for this event, allowing for extensive federal, state, and local security resources to be deployed. The decision follows a request from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and recommendations from the House Select January 6 Committee and the Government Accountability Office. The NSSE status, typically reserved for events like the Super Bowl and presidential inaugurations, underscores the heightened security concerns surrounding the certification process. The Secret Service will lead the security efforts, with an Executive Steering Committee to outline comprehensive security measures. The move comes amid ongoing political tensions, exemplified by recent debates where former President Trump continued to deny wrongdoing related to the 2021 riot.