White House Placed Under Security Lockdown After Car Crashes Near Lafayette Park; Trump Inside Residence

The White House was placed under a temporary security lockdown on Monday morning after a vehicle crashed into a barrier near Lafayette Square Park, across from the presidential complex, while President Donald Trump was inside the White House.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, a silver sedan mounted the sidewalk near the intersection of 16th and H Streets NW, at the northern end of Lafayette Square, shortly before 10 a.m. local time and struck an informational sign. Smoke was seen billowing from the vehicle following the collision.

The driver reportedly became combative with Secret Service agents and National Guard personnel who responded to the scene before being taken into custody. Witnesses said the man shouted, "Oh my God!" as officers led him away in handcuffs.

As a precaution, Secret Service agents instructed journalists inside the White House to remain in the briefing room. Roads surrounding Lafayette Park were temporarily closed, while the Washington Metropolitan Police Department's explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to examine the vehicle.

In a separate incident around the same time, another individual jumped a security barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park and was also arrested. Authorities are investigating both incidents.

Officials clarified that the vehicle involved in the crash did not reach the White House gates, which are located more than a block away from the scene.

President Trump was inside the White House at the time, preparing for a series of scheduled engagements, including a policy meeting and a planned midday meeting with Qatar's prime minister.

No injuries were immediately reported, while authorities had yet to disclose the identity of the driver or establish a possible motive behind the incident.

The security lockdown was lifted following the arrests, allowing normal operations to resume. The Secret Service is continuing its investigation into both security incidents.