A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security highlights a critical security lapse that placed Vice President Kamala Harris dangerously close to a viable pipe bomb during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
The New York Post reported that on the day of the Capitol breach, Harris came within just 20 feet of a planted pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
On January 6, as the nation's capital was enveloped in chaos, a serious threat lurked outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters.
A viable pipe bomb had been stealthily placed in a bush directly beside the building.
Vice President Harris, unaware of the imminent danger, was in transit with her motorcade. She entered the DNC premises through a ramp incredibly close to the explosive device.
The bomb itself was located a mere 20 feet from this entry point, posing a severe risk to her safety.
Despite the standard security protocol, the Secret Service's sweep on that day failed to cover the external areas of the DNC headquarters, notably missing the bush concealing the bomb. This oversight occurred because existing policies did not mandate thorough checks for elected officials not yet inaugurated.
Approximately one hour and forty minutes after Harris had entered the building, the pipe bomb was finally discovered. This delay in detection prompted an urgent evacuation.
It took the Secret Service about ten minutes to evacuate Harris from the premises, where she had spent a total of one hour and fifty minutes.
This incident was particularly alarming for the two Secret Service canine teams present, who were surprised by the lack of additional security assets provided for such a significant event.
Reflecting on the near-catastrophic event, the Secret Service conducted a review of its operational protocols. It identified a critical need for enhancement in the security measures for individuals elected but not yet sworn into office, leading to a policy revision that now includes more resources for protectees in this category.
This change aims to prevent such lapses in the future and ensure the safety of high-profile individuals during sensitive periods.
To date, the individual responsible for placing the pipe bombs at both the DNC and Republican National Committee headquarters remains at large. The FBI has released security camera footage of the suspect and is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.
In a statement, the FBI emphasized the severity of the threat posed by the suspect, highlighting the danger of the bombs, which were potent enough to cause significant harm or even fatalities among bystanders.
The Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog report has drawn attention to the serious implications of such security oversights. It explicitly states that the exterior areas of significant political party headquarters like the DNC must be included in advance security sweeps, especially during heightened threat periods.
"The pipe bomb had been placed near the building the night before, but ... [a]dvance security sweeps by the Secret Service at the DNC building did not include the outside area where a pipe bomb had been placed," the report remarked, underscoring a major security flaw.
To conclude, the incident of January 6 where Vice President Kamala Harris came dangerously close to a planted pipe bomb at the DNC highlights significant lapses in security protocols. This event has prompted the Secret Service to overhaul its procedures, ensuring more comprehensive protection for elected officials not yet in office. The ongoing investigation by the FBI into the unidentified suspect continues, with a substantial reward offered for any information that could help mitigate further threats to public safety.
