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The New Reality of Risk: Protecting Executives and Individuals in Today’s Political Climate
The tragic murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in DC on May 21 is a sobering reminder that tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups remain high after October 7, 2023. In the aftermath of that war, several groups engaged in cordial, passionate debates and organized public protests supporting their side, but so too were there instances of civil unrest, acts of violence, and retaliation in the public square and on social media.
Since the assassination of the United HealthCare CEO at the end of 2024, public demonstrations have only increased, often with incendiary rhetoric being amplified in the social imaginary.
We suspect there may be similar peaceful and chaotic events in the coming days, both in the Nation’s Capital and other major cities across the United States. Corporations and public figures who previously made a public stance supporting one side or another should expect an increased response to their prior comments, with an increased likelihood of receiving threatening communications or violence on their doorsteps.
Certain individuals, both executives and private figures, may become targets of death threats, doxxing (the public sharing of personal information such as home address, names of family members, or travel plans), or attempts at extortion. As we have seen before, these threats may even be misdirected, as potential threat actors misidentify the subject of their ire due to a shared name or incorrect public record information.
Not all corporations have a dedicated security role, or they may be stretched thin due to other commitments. If a threatening email or phone call came into the office, would they be prepared to identify the individual, determine if they are a risk, and implement physical protection if warranted? Does the company already work to remove executives’ personal information from the internet on a routine basis to prevent or greatly hinder an individual’s ability to locate the personal home of the CEO for an in-person confrontation?
It is not just companies and their executives or high-profile figures who need to be aware of such a response, but even “regular folks” who may have their personal opinions but keep them private. Such instances may include having to deal with protestors blocking the street where you live because your neighbor two houses down is the CEO of a company who strongly supported one side or another. You may be enjoying a meal in a restaurant one evening only to have large groups of people swarm the area, start destroying store-front windows, and mass riots, such as was common in France during the yellow-vest protests.
In such instances, do you already have a plan in place on how to respond? Do you know who to call in the event you are trying to come home from a grocery store with your kids in the back seat and people with signs are blocking the entrance to your cul-de-sac?
These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are increasingly common realities in a world where digital rhetoric can quickly spill into physical spaces. As tensions escalate and the risk landscape evolves, preparation is essential. Whether you are a public-facing executive, a company concerned about employee safety, or an individual trying to go about daily life, now is the time to assess vulnerabilities and put thoughtful plans in place.
Consider working with an established, responsive third-party security consultant to mitigate risks before they happen and appropriately and discreetly respond to threats as they emerge. Guidepost Solutions provides threat monitoring and executive protection services to help clients navigate these challenges with discretion, clarity, and confidence. The goal is not to instill fear, but to ensure you are ready to respond calmly and effectively when the unexpected occurs
Cody Shultz
Senior Director
Cody Shultz serves as a director of investigations and private client protection for Guidepost Solutions and is based in the D.C. office. Having served with the Central Intelligence Agency, he is regularly called on to advise ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals and family offices as a strategic advisor for executive protection, security, privacy, and reputational decisions in response to public and private crises, particularly those that related to AI and deepfakes.
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