Capitol Police arrest man with machete at entrance for Jimmy Carter viewing

Capitol Police said a man with a machete and three knives was arrested Wednesday during a security screening for people waiting in line to view former President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state.

Police said they spotted the machete in the man’s bag as it went through an X-ray machine at the Capitol Visitor Center.

“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,” police said in a statement posted on X.

The man, whose name has not been publicly released, was arrested on multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon, Capitol Police said.

When reached for comment, Capitol Police did not provide additional details.

President-elect Donald Trump is also expected to be in the Capitol on Wednesday to pay his respects to Carter and meet with Senate Republicans. The visit appears to mark Trump’s first appearance at the Capitol since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

Carter’s casket was brought to the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon. He will lie in state through Thursday morning, when a service will be held at Washington National Cathedral.

The Capitol Police have made other arrests at the Visitor’s Center over the past year.

In November, Capitol Police arrested a man officers said was carrying a flare gun, torch lighter and bottles of fuel.

Earlier last year, the agency said it arrested a man attempting to enter the Capitol Visitor’s Center with a hammer.

The Capitol was reinforced with additional fencing, heightened patrols and more officers, and coordination with other agencies ahead of the certification of Trump’s electoral victory this week, U.S. Capitol Police said. Similar security protocols are expected during his inauguration on Jan. 20.