Inside ‘strongest EVER’ Super Bowl ‘ring of steel’ with Trump to attend weeks after terror attack & assassination bids
A RING of steel will surround the Super Bowl this weekend as Donald Trump announces his attendance weeks after a terror attack and assassination bids.
Caesars Superdrome in New Orleans will become a fortress for the game that will see the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Tens of thousands of football fans are expected to flood the city and they will be greeted by "visible and not so visible" law enforcement, Homeland Security has warned.
It comes just weeks after the city was rocked by a New Year's Day terror attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people when a pick up truck ploughed into a large crowd.
In addition to this, Donald Trump has announced that he will make history by becoming the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in what is a major security risk.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: "Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting president of the United States will attend the event."
This ramping up of security will see the roll out of drones, snipers, armoured trucks, the national guard, helicopters, police boats, anti-drone detectors, K9 units, mounted officers, and vehicle-stopping barriers.
US Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem confirmed that the Super Bowl is "the biggest homeland security event that we do every year" and this year it is even larger.
She noted that there are "no specific credible threats" around the game on Sunday.
Those already in New Orleans will be able to see the security plan coming to fruition with armoured vehicles already in place alongside street blockages, drones, and around 2,000 boots on the ground.
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US Rep. Dale Strong, a Republican from Alabama who visited the French Quarter on Monday which is already heavily protected said it is similar to the level of security used the presidential inauguration.
He told that the deployment of K9 unites sees "every dog you could imagine."
Eric DeLaune, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations’ New Orleans office detailed their role.
He said: "Dozens of technicians and more than 100 bomb-sniffing dogs are conducting a days-long effort to scour the 400,000 square feet (37,161 square meters) of the Superdome and each of its more than 70,000 seats prior to game day.
“They’re going to go from top to bottom on that building to make sure it’s clear and it’s safe.
"They open every door, check under every seat."
DeLaune who is the lead federal coordinator for the event has revealed how last month's terror attack impacted their plan.
He told CNN: "This whole security effort. Not a single person involved in the planning of the security effort for the Super Bowl was unaffected by this [terror attack].
"They all take this very personally, and what I saw was a level of renewed commitment and renewed passion for the implementation of this plan."
SECURITY ZONE
A security zone has already been implemented in the French Quarter where vehicles are prevented from entering and backpacks are subject to security searches.
Those who refuse to comply will not be allowed into the area around Bourbon Street.
The enhanced security zone is set to be in place until February 10.
"In the days ahead there will be a significant increase in law enforcement presence in New Orleans, some of which will be visible and obvious," DeLaune said on Monday.
"This includes special response teams, drone technology, tactical personal and equipment, intelligence analyses and covert assets."
He added that 600 uniformed officers will be on the ground around the city with a focus on the French Quarter while armed tactical teams will also be on patrol.
As many as 16 armoured tactical vehicles known as BearCats will be deployed with many being used in tandem with barriers to block off street access.
In addition there will be blast shields in high-risk areas, drones picking up images of crowds, and intelligence officers scouting for any threats.
Cathy Lanier, the NFL chief security officer added that the attack "unequivocally" saw her team review security plans and has seen them drill protocols, contingency measures and emergency response.
A major change this year will be to the visibility of the security for the event, she explained.
"So you’re talking about thousands of sworn law enforcement that will be very visible, some not as visible," she said but warned that even more changes could happen if needed.
Lanier said: “We are still prepared to make new modifications should something change between now and the Super Bowl.
"That’s kind of our job is to be flexible and make changes, as needed."
Even outside of the French Quarter security will have more of a presence with helicopters, police boats in the river, and more foot patrols by officers.
Homeland Security will control the airspace from the ground one mile up when things get locked down and after that mile its controlled by US military, CBS .
Jets are already flying overhead in preparation along with other military aircraft including V-22 Ospreys.
Despite these measures, new gun laws in the city will be a concern for law enforcement with anyone over 18 being allowed to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
These weapons are not allowed in the Superdrome or local bars, casinos and government buildings.
The law that came into effect over the summer will be of concern to Trump's security detail after the President was targeted in multiple assassination attempts over the past several months.
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS
In July 2024, the Republican leader was left with a bloodied ear after a bullet grazed him at a rally in Pennsylvania ahead of the election.
Just two months later Trump had to be rushed to safety as Secret Service agents fired at a man with an AK-47 who was hiding in wait for the 78-year-old in the bushes of his golf club.
In October a possible third assassination attempt was reported when a man armed with two guns and fake IDs tried to enter Trump's rally i Coachella, California.
It is not known when Trump will arrive or what his itinerary will be though he will be in an unidentified suite for the game.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told reporters Wednesday that the President's attendance has "heightened" security.
She said that among other measures, the city “will have to shut down some additional streets a little longer in order to provide a safe corridor for him.
“We’re going above and beyond what we’ve seen in the past when we’ve hosted previously,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell told The New York Post.
“We know we’re safer than we’ve ever been before.”
Armstrong International Airport has also boosted security by bringing in more TSA officers, automated screening lanes and sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives.
"I actually think it's safer than its ever been," one of the more then 125,000 visitors expected for the Superbowl weekend told after arriving at the airport.
Visitors also can report suspicious activities and receive security updates with the city’s NOLA Ready Public Safety App.
Lanier reassured those flooding to the city for the event saying: "I am confident the safest place this weekend will be under the security umbrella."
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New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for the 11th time next month.
The Superdome has staged the game seven times - the last of which was in 2013.
