Law enforcement officers undergo riot training in the wake of the January 6 events, with the number of threats faced by lawmakers reaching an all-time high.

Capitol Police and Secret Service Collaborate in Ongoing Training Exercises

In a bid to improve coordination and prepare for various threats, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Secret Service have joined forces for a series of training exercises. The training, which takes place at a Secret Service training complex in Maryland, is shaped by the security breakdowns during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the expected increase in threats against members of Congress in 2025.

Each training scenario is unique, as each situation requires different tactics. The drills showcase new tools meant to prevent communication breakdowns, such as drones and mobile command posts. The U.S. Capitol Police led the operation, joined by 600 officers from nearly 20 agencies.

The goal of the training is to improve coordination among the many agencies that work together in Washington, D.C. Michael Sullivan, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, stated that training like this is incredibly important to understand how different teams work. Aaron Davis, a Capitol Police officer, emphasizes the importance of training due to the implausibility of scenarios after the January 6 attack.

The training exercises are designed to mirror the mass demonstrations that filled Washington in 2020 during the first Trump administration. During the drills, demonstrators shout "Free D.C." and simulate throwing bricks, reflecting the volatile mix of protest and confrontation in American cities. Officers use riot shields and make arrests during the drills, demonstrating the realism of the training.

The biggest shift since January 6 has been the rhythm of coordination, with agencies now training together to build muscle memory for rapid deployments and cross-agency communication. The Secret Service has evolved its training due to the changing nature of threats, with Andrew Ackley stating that they are constantly learning and training.

The U.S. Capitol Police are aiming to fix past mistakes and be proactive, not reactive, in their training exercises. With 2025 expected to bring more threats against members of Congress than any year in history, law enforcement agencies are preparing for a volatile era. The 19 agencies that participated in the joint training course of the US Capitol Police are not named in the available search results.

Law enforcement officers undergo riot training in the wake of the January 6 events, with the number of threats faced by lawmakers reaching an all-time high.