Congress is investigating two security incidents that occurred during President Donald Trump’s recent addresses at the U.S. Capitol, raising concerns about safety protocols. On March 4, 2025, the day of Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress, a suspect attempted to enter a House office building with a handgun.
Capitol Police detained the individual after an X-ray machine detected the weapon in a backpack, which contained a handgun with a 15-round capacity magazine loaded with 13 rounds. The suspect was arrested and processed by authorities.
An earlier incident on January 20, during Trump’s Inauguration Day, is also under scrutiny. While specific details are limited, concerns have been raised about a possible breach of metal detectors, potentially allowing unauthorized items into the Capitol. This allegation was recently brought to the attention of congressional leaders by the House Sergeant at Arms and has been referred to the U.S. Capitol Police Inspector General for investigation.
House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil emphasized the seriousness of these allegations and the importance of maintaining both public access and security at the Capitol.
In an interview with Just the News, he shared, “There are serious allegations as to what you just mentioned, regarding individuals who have attempted or who have brought weapons into the United States Capitol. There is a full investigation ongoing into this. We have an inspector general report due in the near future.”
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in balancing public accessibility with stringent security measures at the Capitol, especially during high-profile events. The outcomes of these investigations may lead to reassessments of current protocols to ensure the safety of all individuals within the Capitol complex.
