Here’s what conservatives need to know.
On Wednesday, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a 35-year-old man after he allegedly attempted to set his car on fire near the Capitol, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill. Trump was there to meet with Republican lawmakers and honor the late President Jimmy Carter, making the timing of the incident especially alarming.
The troubling event unfolded around 5:30 p.m. near the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. Capitol Police officers responded to reports of a man parked in front of the memorial who appeared to be setting a bag on fire on top of his vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished, but authorities acted fast and arrested the man without further escalation.
Following the arrest, the Capitol Police Hazardous Incident Response Division conducted a thorough examination of the vehicle. Investigators discovered that the car had been spray-painted and contained accelerants inside the bag, raising concerns about the intent behind the actions. Although the motive for the man’s behavior remains unclear, authorities confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the Capitol or the surrounding area.
The situation was made even more unsettling by reports that the man had told a Capitol grounds crew worker that he was trying to ignite “napalm” in the vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries or further damage were reported, and the situation was contained in a timely manner.
This incident follows another concerning arrest earlier that day, when Capitol Police apprehended a man attempting to smuggle a machete and three knives into the Capitol Visitor Center. The weapons were detected by security scanning equipment, preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger praised the quick response of officers, stressing the importance of vigilance and heightened security measures in light of the current political climate. With President Trump’s inauguration just around the corner on January 20, these incidents highlight the ongoing need for strong security to protect the nation’s capital.
