What Happened?
A Virginia man was arrested on Wednesday evening near the U.S. Capitol after he allegedly attempted to set a bag on fire atop his car, which was parked near the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. The incident occurred as President-elect Donald Trump was visiting Capitol Hill to meet with Republican lawmakers and pay his respects to the late President Jimmy Carter.
The U.S. Capitol Police responded quickly, detaining the 35-year-old suspect and inspecting the scene for potential threats.
Where and When?
The attempted arson took place around 5:30 p.m. in front of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, a prominent location just outside the Capitol Building. Trump, 78, was arriving at the Capitol at the time of the incident.
Key Details
Capitol Police reported that the suspect parked his car at the memorial and placed a bag on the vehicle’s roof before trying to ignite it.
A witness from a nearby grounds crew overheard the man saying, “I have napalm, and I’m trying to light it on fire.”
Officers quickly arrived on the scene, but the bag extinguished itself before it could ignite further.
Investigation Findings
Capitol Police’s Hazardous Incident Response Division inspected the vehicle and determined it posed no ongoing threat by 7 p.m.
Investigators discovered that the car had been spray-painted and that the bag contained accelerants.
The Suspect
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is a 35-year-old man from Virginia. He was arrested on charges related to unlawful activities.
Authorities have not determined his motive.
Capitol Police confirmed there was no ongoing threat following the arrest.
A Separate Incident Earlier in The Day
Hours before this incident, Capitol Police arrested another individual, 44-year-old Mel J. Horne, at the Capitol Visitor Center. Horne was reportedly attempting to smuggle a machete and three knives into the legislative complex.
The weapons were detected by an X-ray scanner at the entrance.
Horne was charged with multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol Police Response
The two incidents are not believed to be connected, according to Capitol Police. Chief J. Thomas Manger praised the vigilance of the officers, stating, “Twice today, our officers stopped a man who could have been a danger to the Capitol Hill community. This vigilance is critical during this time of heightened security.”
Context
The events come during an already tense time in Washington, D.C., as preparations are underway for President-elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Trump, set to become the 47th president of the United States, was on Capitol Hill meeting with Republican lawmakers when the arrest took place.
Why It Matters?
The incidents underscore the heightened security concerns around the Capitol in the weeks leading up to a presidential inauguration. The quick response by Capitol Police prevented potential harm and demonstrated the importance of constant vigilance in protecting the Capitol complex and its visitors.
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