House Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention next week are being advised by congressional security officials not to book hotel rooms under their own names or engage with protesters if confronted, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The guidance comes as some Democratic lawmakers are fearful about their safety after being rattled by a series of disruptive pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas war started last year.
- One House Democrat told Axios they are “very concerned” about their personal security and that “of course” other lawmakers are as well.
- A senior House Democrat said law enforcement is telling members “not to go to a certain area, because they expect violence.”
- “The protesters aren’t staying in a designated protest site … and there are people who are going to go and really try to cause trouble,” the lawmaker predicted.
Driving the news: In guidance sent to Democratic congressional offices and obtained by Axios, the House sergeant-at-arms’ office wrote, “If you are confronted by protesters, try not to engage and report to [Capitol Police].”
- The guidance said that law enforcement will try to confine protests to “designated demonstration areas” outside the inner security perimeter of the convention.
- House Democrats were also briefed on convention security last week and presented with a “thorough” security plan, according to three lawmakers on the call.
- One of the lawmakers told Axios that members were urged not to book hotel rooms in their names because “hotels have been getting random calls asking for people.”
Zoom out: Members of Congress were evacuated from an event last November at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters on Capitol Hill after protesters blocked the door to the building.
- Scores of Democratic lawmakers have accused protesters of vandalizing or trying to force entry into their congressional offices.
- In December, Democrats launched a task force on member security in part to respond to the protests.