An unidentified man was detained Wednesday after he allegedly tried to slip a machete and three knives into the US Capitol Visitor Center hours before President-elect Donald Trump was due to arrive.
US Capitol Police said they plan to press charges against the suspect, who was stopped at an X-ray scanner at the entrance to the legislative complex.
“During security screening at the CVC’s north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the man’s bag, stopped the X-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete,” read a statement from the department.
“Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete. Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated.”
The incident took place around 2 p.m.
The Capitol and the surrounding area has been placed under stepped-up security ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, among other events.
The late former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has also been lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda since Tuesday evening ahead of his state funeral Thursday.
Trump, 78, was due to visit the Capitol Wednesday evening to pay his respects to the 39th president and huddle with Senate Republican leaders to chart out the GOP agenda for the next two years.–
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
