A man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after attempting to carry a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) in Washington, D.C., shortly before President-elect Donald Trump was set to meet with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Capitol Police reported that the incident occurred just after 2 p.m. at the north doors of the CVC. Security officers, during routine bag screening, identified a machete using an X-ray machine. The machine was immediately stopped, and officers arrested the man.
Further inspection of the man’s bag revealed three additional knives, alongside the machete. Capitol Police halted security screening at the north side of the facility to conduct a thorough investigation. The man, whose identity has not been released, was charged with multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon.
The incident occurred hours before President-elect Trump’s scheduled meeting with Senate Republicans, hosted by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. Trump’s meeting, part of his preparation for a return to the Oval Office later this month, was confirmed by his transition team earlier this week.
No injuries were reported, and Capitol Police have not disclosed further details about the man or his motive.
