US Representative Addresses Security at Major Gatherings

US Representative Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) is focused on ensuring the safety of Americans during several significant upcoming events. He leads the Homeland Security Committee on Emergency Management and Technology and recently held a hearing called “Massive Gathering Events: Assessing Security Coordination and Preparation” as the nation gets ready for a historic international event.

“These large gatherings naturally attract big crowds to specific areas, making them susceptible to threats from malicious individuals,” Strong stated. “Ensuring safety at these events demands intricate coordination among federal, state, and local governments—this includes law enforcement, emergency services, and cooperation with partners in the sports and entertainment sectors.”

Strong highlighted that the US is entering an extraordinary phase with numerous major international sporting events on the calendar, including the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

Notably, the 2026 World Cup is set to feature 78 matches across 11 U.S. cities, expected to draw 5 million fans and reach an audience of about 6 billion online.

“We first experienced the enormity of these challenges during our visit to New Orleans to review security preparations for the Super Bowl, especially after the New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street,” Strong recounted. “That incident, along with others, starkly reminds us of the ongoing threat of terrorism and underscores our collective duty to ensure safety at such events.”

In response to these challenges, Congress and the White House have initiated new measures to bolster security. On March 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to create the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Additionally, Strong is participating in a bipartisan “Task Force on Enhanced Security at Special U.S. Events,” set up by the House Committee on Homeland Security. This group will concentrate on special occasions like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“I praise the Task Force Chair and Vice-President McCole, as well as Chairman Green, for their leadership on this matter,” Strong remarked. “We’re privileged to be a part of this task force.”

Before these high-profile events occur, the Task Force plans to visit the event venues, conduct hearings, host roundtables, and compile a final report based on their findings as part of the committee’s evaluations for National Special Security Events (NSSES) and major special event assessment ratings (SEAR).