"This is as serious of a law enforcement threat as I’ve seen, potentially, in my career"

“We’ve done this four years ago and even four years before then. But this is the first time we’re putting in place a plan where there’s been an active assault on the institutions of our democracy,” Dotson said he told his officers. “This is as serious of a law enforcement threat as I’ve seen, potentially, in my career.”…

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How to protect members of Congress while in airports is of particular concern, after several viral videos last week showed lawmakers trying to catch flights being encircled by aggressive crowds. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies on Capitol Hill, was not loyal enough for throngs of Trump supporters who surrounded him at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, yelling “traitor.”

Hoping to head that off next week, airports, airlines and security agencies have begun intense collaborations, including keeping tabs on which flights will be carrying lawmakers. Plans are also being made to ensure lawmakers will have safe places to wait, such as airline lounges, and potentially escorts in public areas, according to an airport representative familiar with the discussions. In some cases, federal marshals may accompany their flights.

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