Man arrested for trying to smuggle machete, knives into US Capitol ahead of Trump visit

Ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's visit to the US Capitol, the police on Wednesday (Jan 8) arrested a man trying to smuggle a machete and three knives into the building.

What happened?

As per a statement published on the United States Capitol Police website, the man, identified as 44-year-old Mel J. Horne, of Washington, DC, was arrested just after 02:00 pm local time (7 pm GMT).

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Horne is accused of trying to smuggle in dangerous weapons. The machete he was carrying was detected by an X-ray machine at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), and the knives were found in a subsequent bag search.

“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second,” said US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger in a statement.

“It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe,” added the Capitol Police chief.

Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center, while the USCP investigated, but the checkpoint was reopened approximately an hour later.

“Public viewing for the lying in state (of recently deceased former US president Jimmy Carter) was not stopped and will continue throughout the night, into Thursday morning,” said the USCP.

Charges against Mel J. Horne

The man, Mel J. Horne, has been arrested on multiple counts of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon. He is under investigation by the USCP to determine his motives. It is not yet clear if the president-elect was the target or not.

“At this time there is no ongoing threat towards the Congress, the U.S. Capitol, or the public,” said the Capitol Police.

(With inputs from agencies)