News Releases
Officers with the United States Capitol Police (USCP) First Responders Unit were patrolling Capitol Grounds around 9:00 a.m., when they noticed a Subaru Outback with a large tricycle strapped to the roof. The station wagon was parked in an area reserved for Congressional staff along the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and did not have the proper parking permit. They spotted what appeared to be a bow & arrow, a knife, and an empty pistol holster inside the vehicle.
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) has updated its list of items that public visitors are prohibited from bringing into the Congressional Buildings to keep everyone safe.
The new list, approved by the Capitol Police Board, goes into effect on July 14, 2025, and is sorted into three categories:
Michael G. Sullivan was sworn in as the new chief of the United States Capitol Police on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer A. Hemingway administered the oath of office on the Senate Steps at 9:00 a.m. Architect of the Capitol Thomas E. Austin and Deputy House Sergeant at Arms Sean Keating (on behalf of House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland) were also in attendance.
On Friday, July 4, A Capitol Fourth -- America's national Independence Day celebration -- will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol. The concert will be broadcast at 8:00 p.m.
The Capitol Police Board welcomes Michael G. Sullivan to the position of Chief of the United States Capitol Police.
With over 30 years of law enforcement experience across three major U.S. cities, Michael Sullivan has focused on increasing transparency, improving departmental efficiency, and fostering strong relationships between officers, elected officials, and the community.
On Sunday, May 25, the National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol on public television stations nationwide (check local listings) and streaming online to honor our servicemen and women, their families, and all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
There is also a dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, that is open to the public. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 4, at 9:00 p.m., the President of the United States will deliver an address before a Joint Session of Congress.
Road Closures
To ensure everyone's safety, the United States Capitol Police will temporarily close roads around the U.S. Capitol on March 4.
From 12:01 a.m. until the conclusion of the event, the following roads will be closed to the public:
The number of United States Capitol Police (USCP) threat assessment cases has climbed for the second year in a row. In 2024, the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section (TAS) investigated 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against the Members of Congress, including their families and staff. The number of concerning statements and direct threats usually increases during election years.
Here are the TAS case numbers for the last five years:
“On Tuesday, January 21, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area. At approximately 1:15 p.m., USCP officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) and taken a Capitol tour.
“At the request of the President-elect and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the 60th Inauguration will be held inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The ticketed areas outside, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, will now be closed to ticketed guests on Monday, January 20, due to the extremely cold weather that is expected in Washington, D.C. The United States Capitol Police, along with our law enforcement partners, will still have a heightened security posture with an increased law enforcement presence and layers of physical security.