Sunday was the Super Bowl and for the first time in history a sitting United States of America President attended the game. President Donald Trump entered to massive cheers and celebration by the fans at the Superdome and he brought a great deal of security with him. I will get to that in a minute. Of course Philadelphia Eagles fans are celebrating as the Eagles dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs. As a long time Raiders fan I cannot say I am sad. I grew up with the Oakland raiders, as my Grandparents were original season Ticket Holders going back to 1960 Kezar, Candlestick Park  and Frank Youell Field for four seasons, while the Coliseum was being constructed.

While the Eagles were taking care of business on the field, I believe that President Trump was sending another message. Just one month ago the Sugar Bowl was postponed as a terrorist attack took place on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The intel community chatter that there was another 911 coming was very high and the Super Bowl was a very likely target. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that “Around 100,000 people will be celebrating the Super Bowl in and around the Superdome in New Orleans this weekend,” Noem said in a statement. “We will give law enforcement every resource they need to ensure a safe event. Thank you to our partners, Governor Landry, Mayor Cantrell and the New Orleans Police Department. If you see something, say something!” Over 690 agents from 12 DHS Agencies attended the Super Bowl.

In no uncertain terms the President of the United States took on and sent a message to Terrorists, Cartels and Human Traffickers by locking down one of their favorite events. President Trump sent a message to Iran and its assassins that he will not run and he will not hide. Here are a few of the operations that were in effect:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Air and Marine Operations (AMO) will enforce temporary flight restrictions around Caesars Superdome, providing “eye in the sky” intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flight operations in and around key venues, including the Superdome, airport, Bourbon Street, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Additionally, CBP will provide video surveillance capabilities and non-intrusive inspections by scanning the cargo entering the stadium for contraband such as narcotics, weapons, and explosives. CBP will also work to intercept counterfeit NFL merchandise such as NFL jerseys, championship rings, T-shirts, caps, and all sorts of souvenirs and memorabilia, which are often used to fund criminal organizations.

  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): On Super Bowl Sunday, CISA will also deploy advisors and emergency communications coordinators to support local law enforcement, emergency responders, and private partners in New Orleans. Ahead of the event, the agency conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments, planning exercises, and bomb safety workshops with state and local partners.
  • Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A): I&A worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assess the threat landscape leading up to the Super Bowl, including sharing timely and actionable information and intelligence with their state and local partners.
  • Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD): CWMD provided surge support from its Mobile Detection Deployment Program and its BioWatch program in coordination with the City of New Orleans.
  • U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): USCG Pacific Strike Team is supporting the Mobile Detection Deployment Program to bolster DHS’s ability to detect and interdict chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and Canine Explosive Detection teams will support the safety and security of the event.
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA): A TSA Supervisory Federal Air Marshal will staff the Fusion Watch Center during the event, and will use its National Deployment Force to increase the number of transportation security officers working at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to screen the increased number of departing passengers after the Super Bowl. In preparation, TSA also installed new security equipment at the airport. Furthermore, TSA’s explosive detection canines and Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams will work during Super Bowl week events at key venues
  • Notably, other federal agencies are doing their part to secure the Super Bowl. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration is conducting low-altitude helicopter flights to measure radiation levels over New Orleans and its surrounding areas, and the Federal Aviation Administration has established regional flight restrictions and designated Caesars Superdome a “no drone zone.”

This was a full force event and the bad guys were sent a message.