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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., wrote a letter to the Department of Homeland Security requesting special security accommodations for the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Fetterman cited concerns amid the ongoing war with Iran for his desire for greater security.
“I urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to raise the Special Event Evaluation Rating (SEAR) for the 2026 National Football League Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to ensure the safety of participants and fans at the event. The NFL Draft is one of the most iconic sporting events held each year,” the letter began.
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Senator John Fetterman listens during a confirmation hearing for Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on March 18. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“This is the first time since 1948 that the NFL will host the Draft in Pittsburgh. It is expected to draw more than 700,000 fans to outdoor events at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, and more than 50 million viewers are expected to tune in to the Draft to watch on television or online. DHS previously designated the Draft as a Tier 3 SEAR event, but I urge DHS to elevate it to a SEAR event. level 2 given the changing threat environment in the wake of the war in Iran.
“A Level 2 designation would provide increased coordination and deployment of federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as counter-drone support, K9 units, and intelligence analysis and sharing. Increasing the SEAR designation for the Draft will help ensure additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans safe and able to enjoy the Draft without fear.”
TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S PARTICIPATION IN WORLD CUP MAY NOT BE ‘APPROPRIATE’, WHILE ADDING MEN’S TEAM IS STILL ‘WELCOME’
A general view of Heinz Field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 2, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The draft will take place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
President donald trump declared that Iran is “essentially no longer a threat” after a 32-day US military campaign, during a prime-time speech on Wednesday.
“I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly. Very soon, we are going to hit them extremely hard during the the next two or three weeks“Trump said. “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age where they belong. In the meantime, talks continue.”
“We are in this military operation… for 32 days,” he added. “And the country has been gutted and is essentially no longer a threat.”
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The mission known as Operation Epic Fury began a little over a month ago, on February 28.
Since then, U.S. forces have struck more than 12,000 targets inside Iran and damaged or destroyed 155 warships, according to Central Command. Thirteen US service members have been killed in the operations and 350 have been wounded.
