Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, has voiced his concerns about the security of this year’s NFL Draft, urging for heightened protective measures amidst the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

Scheduled from April 23 to 25, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the NFL Draft is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Middle East conflict, which erupted over a month following a joint military strike by the US and Israel on Iran.

In light of the unfolding situation, Fetterman has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, advocating for enhanced security provisions for the forthcoming event.

The Pennsylvania senator linked the ongoing war with Iran to his request for bolstered security at the prominent event.

In his communication, Fetterman urged the Department of Homeland Security to raise the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding both participants and spectators at this annual highlight of the sporting calendar, as reported by Fox.

Fetterman highlighted that this is the first time since 1948 that Pittsburgh will host the NFL Draft, which is anticipated to attract over 700,000 fans to open-air venues like Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. With over 50 million people expected to watch the event via TV or online, he pressed for the DHS to reconsider the event’s SEAR rating, suggesting an upgrade from Level 3 to Level 2 in response to the current global security climate.

Democratic senator John Fetterman has expressed his fears for this year’s NFL Draft

Fetterman called for heightened security at the event, which will take place later this month 

‘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.’

Donald Trump vowed during an address to the nation on Wednesday night to wind down the conflict in the coming weeks. 

The president declared that Iran is ‘essentially really no longer a threat,’ as he claimed that the US is going ‘to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.’

However, multiple US aircraft crashes were reported Friday, as an urgent search-and-rescue mission continues for a downed American pilot behind enemy lines.

An American F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southern Iran earlier Friday, ejecting two pilots into enemy territory.

One of the American fighter pilots has been rescued by US forces, two US officials have confirmed. A second crew member remains missing, CBS News reported.

It marked the first time a US jet has been downed by enemy fire since the start of the war 35 days ago. 

Meanwhile, Newsmax reported that a US Black Hawk was hit by enemy fire while conducting rescue operations for the pilots. The crew is reportedly accounted for and is safe.

An A-10 Warthog combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday but the pilot was reportedly rescued

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran

An A-10 Warthog combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday but the pilot was rescued, according to the New York Times.

Later Friday, Iranian state media claimed credit for the plane crash, saying Iranian defense forces struck the A-10.

Iranian state media also urged civilians to capture the pilots on the Strike Eagle, with a ‘reward’ offered by the Islamic regime.

The government is currently in a partial shutdown over the parties’ disagreements over Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with Democrats refusing to agree to funding the DHS unless changes are made to immigration enforcement after two Americans were killed by border agents in Minneapolis.

On Thursday, Trump announced he would sign an executive order to have all DHS employees paid, after previously ensuring that Transportation Security Administration workers would get their paychecks amid airport chaos. 

Republicans worked out a deal to end the shutdown earlier this week, but both houses of Congress remain in recess for another week.