‘Lone actors’ are greatest safety threat during Trump’s inauguration: Capitol Police chief

As the country prepares for former President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025, the chief of Capitol Police has raised concerns over a significant security threat: “lone actors.” These individuals, acting alone and often outside the purview of organized groups, represent the most unpredictable and dangerous risk to public safety during the inauguration, according to Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.

In his recent briefing, Manger outlined the challenges his department faces in ensuring the safety of the inauguration, noting that while large-scale threats from extremist groups are a concern, it is the lone actors—individuals who may be motivated by personal grievances, ideologies, or delusions—that pose the most immediate and difficult-to-manage risks.

The Growing Threat of Lone Actors

Lone actors, also referred to as “lone wolves,” are individuals who commit acts of violence or terrorism without direct support or coordination from larger groups or networks. These individuals often carry out attacks on their own, which can make them especially challenging to detect and stop before they strike. According to experts, lone actors may be harder to track because they do not engage in the same kinds of communication or planning that group-based extremists do.

The nature of lone actor threats has evolved over the years, with incidents like the January 6th Capitol insurrection highlighting how individuals, motivated by various factors, can spiral into violent actions, even without the backing of a larger organization. While the threat posed by organized extremist groups like militias or radical movements remains real, managers and other security experts stress that the unpredictability of lone actors is a far greater concern, especially at high-profile events like presidential inaugurations.

Increased Security Measures for a High-Stakes Event

Manger noted that the Capitol Police, along with local, state, and federal agencies, have been working overtime to strengthen security protocols for the upcoming inauguration. Following the events of January 6, 2021, where violent rioters breached the U.S. Capitol building, authorities have been particularly focused on preventing similar disruptions during future high-profile events. Since then, there has been a marked shift in the way the country views threats to public safety at these events, with a heightened awareness of the role that lone actors can play in inciting violence.

The Capitol Police chief emphasized that the department is not only focused on monitoring known extremist groups but also on tracking individuals who might be planning violence independently. Authorities are working closely with the FBI and other intelligence agencies to identify potential threats, using a combination of social media monitoring, behavioral analysis, and community tips to try and detect individuals who could pose a risk.

Given the high level of public interest and the historical significance of the inauguration, security measures will be more extensive than ever. Manger noted that the Capitol grounds will be heavily patrolled by officers, surveillance equipment will be in place to monitor crowds, and law enforcement agencies will be ready to respond quickly if any threats materialize.

Challenges in Identifying Lone Actors

One of the greatest challenges in combating the threat of lone actors is the difficulty in identifying these individuals before they act. Unlike group-based threats, which often involve more visible planning and coordination, lone actors tend to operate in isolation, making their intentions less predictable. As a result, intelligence gathering must be more nuanced, relying on a wide range of data sources, including tips from the public, surveillance of extremist forums, and monitoring of social media platforms where individuals may express their intentions.

Lone actors are also often motivated by a variety of factors, including political ideologies, personal grievances, or mental health issues, which can make it harder for authorities to identify common patterns or behaviors. The manager explained that it is essential to focus on behavioral indicators and early warning signs, such as individuals who express violent rhetoric or make threats online, but that it is also important to remain vigilant about those who may not have been previously flagged as potential threats.

Security in the Shadow of January 6

The Capitol Police’s heightened concern over lone actors is directly tied to the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters of then-President Trump stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Although the insurrection involved a large group of individuals, many of them were motivated by personal grievances, conspiracies, and misinformation, illustrating the volatile and unpredictable nature of lone actors in a larger, highly charged political context.

In the aftermath of the January 6 attacks, there was widespread recognition of the need for stronger security measures around future inaugurations and political events. As the 2025 inauguration approaches, security experts stress that vigilance against lone actors will be just as critical as preventing attacks from organized extremist groups. While large protests and group-based violence are possible, lone actors who are radicalized or inflamed by current events may be the biggest threat.

Heightened Public Safety Precautions

As the nation looks ahead to the inauguration, authorities are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the event is as safe as possible. In addition to traditional security measures like fencing, roadblocks, and armed personnel, there will be an emphasis on intelligence sharing and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies. Increased social media monitoring will be used to detect any signs of impending violence, while officers will be stationed throughout the area, keeping a watchful eye on crowds.

For now, the Capitol Police remain focused on ensuring a secure environment for the event while balancing the need to protect the rights of Americans to peacefully assemble and protest. The manager has reiterated that, while the threat of lone actors remains high, the department is prepared to handle any challenges that may arise.

As the 2025 inauguration approaches, all eyes will be on Capitol security, with heightened vigilance and an emphasis on preventing violence from those acting alone. The upcoming event will be one of the most closely monitored inaugurations in U.S. history, as authorities work to prevent another moment of crisis.