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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., penned 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 Iran War for his desire for more security.
“I urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to elevate the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) for the National Football League’s 2026 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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Sen. John Fetterman listens during a confirmation hearing for Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., 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 well over 700,000 fans to open-air events in Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, and more than 50 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch the Draft on television or online. Previously, DHS designated the Draft a Level 3 SEAR event, but I urge DHS to elevate it to a Level 2 SEAR event given the changing threat environment in the wake of the war in Iran.
“A Level 2 designation would provide greater 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 that additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans secure and able to enjoy the Draft without fear.”
A general view of Heinz Field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 2, 2022, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The draft is set to take place in Pittsburgh from April 23–25.
President Donald Trump declared Iran is “essentially really no longer a threat” after a 32-day U.S. military campaign, during a primetime address Wednesday.
“I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly. Very shortly, we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said. “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing.”
“We are in this military operation … for 32 days,” he added. “And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat.”
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The mission known as Operation Epic Fury began just more than one month ago, on Feb. 28.
Since then, U.S. forces have struck more than 12,000 targets inside Iran and damaged or destroyed 155 naval ships, according to the Central Command. Thirteen U.S. service members have died in the operations, and 350 have been injured.
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