Man Arrested Near White House After Driving Onto Sidewalk, Demanding to See Trump
The individual was taken for a mental health evaluation after the incident prompted a significant law enforcement response.
A man was arrested near the White House on Saturday afternoon after allegedly driving his car onto the sidewalk and demanding to speak with President Trump. The incident occurred around noon at the intersection of 16th Street and H Street in Lafayette Square, prompting a swift and substantial response from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department, alongside military personnel and Secret Service agents, converged on the scene. The driver, who was reportedly unaware that President Trump was vacationing at Camp David at the time, was taken into custody.
A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed that the man was transported to a nearby hospital for a mental health evaluation. As a precautionary measure, surrounding roads were temporarily shut down. A search of the man's vehicle revealed no concerning items.
"We appreciate the swift actions of our Secret Service Police Officers and are grateful for the Metropolitan Police Department for their prompt response," the Secret Service stated.
This incident is one of several security-related events near the White House in recent years. In October 2025, a driver crashed a car into a security barrier outside the White House while President Trump was present. In March of the same year, another driver was detained after ramming a temporary security barricade near Lafayette Park.
President Trump has been the target of multiple threats. In July 2024, an assassination attempt occurred during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a man allegedly fired shots. Additionally, in April 2026, an individual allegedly opened fire near the venue of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, with bullets striking the bulletproof vest of a Secret Service agent.