Man Tries to Bring Machete and Three Knives into Capitol Before Trump’s Visit, Motive Unknown

A man was apprehended while attempting to smuggle a machete and three knives into the US Capitol Building just hours before president-elect Donald Trump was scheduled to arrive. The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, and the suspect was stopped at the X-ray scanner, raising immediate concerns about security.

According to the US Capitol Police, during routine security checks at the Capitol Visitor Center’s north entrance, officers noticed the machete in the man’s bag, which led them to halt the security screening process. The police secured the machete and discovered the additional three knives hidden within the same bag. Security protocols were briefly interrupted while authorities investigated the situation.

As it stands, the suspect’s motives for trying to bring weapons into the Capitol remain unclear, but charges are expected to be filed against him.

The timing of the incident was notably tense as Trump was preparing to visit the Capitol that evening to pay his respects to the late president Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the remarkable age of 100. His casket had been displayed in the Capitol Rotunda since Tuesday night. The visit also included a scheduled meeting with Senate Republican leaders to strategize for the upcoming GOP agenda just weeks ahead of inaugural day.

In a related development, president Joe Biden issued a proclamation to lower American flags in Carter’s honor, a move that reportedly angered Trump. The former president expressed his frustration on Truth Social, criticizing Democrats for their enthusiasm regarding the flags being flown “at half mast” during his inauguration, despite his ambiguous understanding of flag customs.

On a broader note, Trump has recently drawn attention for making controversial comments, including remarks regarding potential military and economic action towards various countries. His statements have sparked a flurry of reactions, with some critics labeling him as unpredictable and warning that such rhetoric is anything but typical, especially in the context of anti-war stances.

As these events unfold, the public remains vigilant about security measures and the political climate as the nation approaches a new administration.