The US political scene has been tense, with security fears growing in the country since conservative activist and President Donald Trump’s ally, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead at a university in Utah.
Following the incident, Trump’s security has been stepped up. His team shifted the venue of his speech commemorating the 11 September 2001 attacks, and security measures have also been tightened for a baseball game in New York, where he is expected to make an appearance later on Thursday.
After receiving anonymous threats, several universities went into lockdown, and some well-known figures have tightened their personal security. What has added to the fear is that the hunt is still on for Kirk’s killer.
Trump’s security tightened
Trump’s speech at the Pentagon, one of the sites of the 9/11 attack, was moved from a public area to an indoor courtyard on Thursday morning “out of an abundance of caution,” officials said.
Stepping up security measures for the game at Yankee Stadium, the Secret Service has cautioned that the public in the area “can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence”.
High-profile figures tighten their personal security
Meanwhile, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Democratic Congresswoman, cancelled an event in North Carolina. Citing security concerns, her team said the cancellation was “out of respect for Kirk”.
Ben Shapiro, a Conservative political commentator, also cancelled a scheduled event outside Los Angeles.
Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who is running for governor in South Carolina, said she won’t be holding public events for now because of security reasons. She also said she plans to carry a firearm whenever the law allows.
“I’ll start carrying again when I’m back home,” she said. “In other states, I will have a firearm on my person all the time, and I will have security.”
US Naval Academy on lockdown
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, was placed under lockdown on Thursday following unspecified threats, according to Navy spokesman Lt. Naweed Lemar. There were reports that a dismissed midshipman returned to campus with a weapon and opened fire.
Gunfire was heard inside Bancroft Hall, the academy’s massive dormitory housing more than 1,600 midshipmen, Fox News reported, citing Naval Academy sources. The alleged shooter was said to have knocked on doors while posing as a military policeman.
