Members of Congress are reconsidering the safety of public, outdoor gatherings in the wake of the tragic shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, signaling an era of heightened security fears amidst a spike in political violence.

Democratic Representatives Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California have already altered plans, moving their press conferences from the open air of the Capitol to more secure, indoor venues. Kamlager-Dove’s decision was specifically driven by concerns for safety, shared a source who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also adjusted her schedule, shifting a North Carolina rally indoors not only as a mark of respect for recent events but also for safety reasons. “Even prior to the recent tragedy, we had shifted our event indoors due to escalating threats,” she explained to journalists. The event has since been postponed further in light of the shooting.

The need for a reassessment of security measures for outdoor congressional events has been underscored by House Oversight and Government Reform Chair James Comer, especially following the attack on Charlie Kirk and an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in July 2024. Both attacks involved shooters positioned on rooftops, a method that exposes a critical vulnerability in public event security.

“You could have lots of individual security and still fail to notice someone positioned on a rooftop,” Comer pointed out during a press briefing. He highlighted the proximity of such potential risks, using the distance to the Library of Congress roof as an example of how close threats could lurk unnoticed.

The murder of Kirk has ignited fresh calls to bolster security measures for lawmakers and their families, potentially through increased funding. Despite this, Comer expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such measures against determined, stealthy attackers. He emphasized the need for a broader de-escalation of America’s heated political climate to reduce the risks.

“Someone suggested increasing the security budget, but even with substantial security, a rooftop shooter might go unnoticed,” Comer reflected. “What we really need is to turn down the temperature in America’s political discourse and restore some civility.”

As Congress grapples with these new security challenges, the shift in how members approach public appearances could signify a long-term change in the nature of political engagement, driven by the necessity of ensuring safety in an increasingly volatile environment.