UPDATE: A driver was arrested late Tuesday night after ramming a vehicle into a gate outside the White House while President Donald Trump was just a few hundred feet away. The incident occurred at 10:37 PM near the intersection of 17th & E St, NW in Washington, DC, prompting an immediate lockdown of the area.
Officials from the U.S. Secret Service reported that the individual was quickly apprehended by Uniformed Division officers on-site. The vehicle was assessed and deemed safe by both Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department personnel. “Our investigation into the cause of this collision is ongoing,” the Secret Service stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This alarming incident comes amidst rising tensions nationwide, with an increase in acts of violence targeting federal institutions. A motive for the ramming has not yet been disclosed. A social media photo captured the scene, showing the vehicle as a small sedan.
Just days before this incident, the FBI discovered a suspicious hunting tree stand within sight of the Air Force One landing zone at Palm Beach International Airport. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the stand was found ahead of President Trump’s arrival. “No individuals were located at the scene,” he added, indicating the seriousness of the security threats faced.
No injuries were reported in the ramming incident at the White House, and authorities have yet to release the identity of the suspect. This event marks a troubling trend of security breaches involving federal properties. Just last month, a man named Donald Henson was arrested after allegedly crashing a vehicle into the entrance of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, an act deemed a targeted attack.
Federal authorities are on high alert as investigations continue into these incidents. The public is urged to remain vigilant as security measures are evaluated and enhanced in response to these threats. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.
