Capitol Police Arrest Man Trying To Bring Machete, 3 Knives Into US Capitol Hours Before Trump Visit

The U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man Wednesday afternoon for attempting to bring a machete and three knives into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), which is attached to the U.S. Capitol building, just hours before President-elect Donald Trump was expected to arrive for meetings with Republicans.

Capitol Police released a statement saying he was arrested just after 2 p.m. ET and that officers spotted the machete and the three knives together in the man’s bag as he was trying to enter the CVC. He was arrested and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon.

“Just after 2:00 p.m., our officers stopped and arrested a man who tried to get a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement. “During security screening at the CVC’s north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the man’s bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete.”

“Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete. Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated,” the statement continued.

Just after 2:00 p.m., our officers stopped and arrested a man who tried to get a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).

THREAD: pic.twitter.com/7XFL4wNt6d

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) January 8, 2025

USCP Stops, Arrests Man with Machete & Knives at Security Screening: https://t.co/l3CPimfyAt pic.twitter.com/S1zRwt3vg4

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) January 8, 2025

“The man is being arrested for multiple charges of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon. We will provide more information once it is available.,” they added. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Your Father’s Been Shot’: Donald Trump Jr. Recounts Harrowing Moments After Attempt On Father’s Life)

The man has not yet been identified.

Trump is slated to meet with Senate Republicans later Wednesday to try to get the party on the “same page” for passing his policy agenda. Trump has proposed passing one large reconciliation bill with key policy priorities included such as immigration reform, energy production, extending his first-term tax cuts and raising or eliminating the debt ceiling. However, some Senate Republicans have proposed passing two separate bills. (RELATED: Following Election, A Half-Dozen Dems Flip Their Votes To Support Laken Riley Act)

Trump is also at the Capitol to pay respects to recently-deceased President Jimmy Carter before his funeral Thursday.