President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address tonight. The event has been designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). A NSSE is an event of national or international significance deemed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity.

An NSSE places the US Secret Service as the lead agency in charge of the planning, coordination, and implementation of security operations for the event, the FBI in charge of intelligence, counterterrorism, and investigation of major criminal activities associated with the event, and FEMA in charge of recovery management in the aftermath of terrorism, major criminal activities, natural disasters, or other catastrophic incidents following the event.

With the State of the Union address, as with all major events in the Washington, D.C. area, the Secret Service calls upon established relationships with experienced counterparts to develop and implement a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment for all involved. These partners include local and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies, as well as the U.S. military. 

Capitol Square Security

Security will be extremely tight. Access to the Capitol complex will be restricted to credentialed and authorized pedestrians beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Road closures begin at 7:00 PM and encompass the area roughly bounded by the following streets:

From 2nd Street NE westward to 3rd Street NW

From Louisiana Ave southward to Washington Ave.

If you are in the Wasington DC area today and tonight, leave time in your schedule for delays.