White House Lockdown When Car Crashes Near North Lawn, Driver Confronts Secret Service; Trump inside the compound | Today’s news
A car crash near the White House in Washington DC prompted a temporary lockdown Monday morning after the driver reportedly crashed into a sign in Lafayette Square Park and then got into a physical altercation with US Secret Service agents and National Guard members.
According to a Daily Mail report, the incident took place at the northern end of Lafayette Square Park, directly across from the North Lawn of the White House. The Secret Service and Washington Metro Police are investigating the crash.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, reportedly got out of the smoking vehicle and began throwing punches at federal officers who approached the car.
According to news reports, several Secret Service agents and National Guard soldiers surrounded the vehicle after the crash. The footage also captured the driver allegedly fighting with security personnel.
It remains unclear what caused the vehicle to hit the sign or whether the incident was intentional.
The White House is temporarily on lockdown
The incident prompted security personnel to temporarily restrict movement around the White House.
Around 10 a.m. ET Monday, Secret Service agents instructed most reporters at the White House to move inside and stay there, the Daily Mail reports.
Restrictions were imposed as authorities responded to the incident and secured the area around Lafayette Square Park.
The report said agents allowed White House reporters to leave the West Wing around 10:30 a.m. CET, allowing them to return to their television booths outside.
Trump in the White House
US President Donald Trump was at the White House when the incident took place, although he did not make a public appearance that day, the report said.
Authorities have not released the driver’s identity or determined a motive for the crash and subsequent altercation.
The Secret Service and Washington Metro Police are investigating the incident.
