On Monday, a man was apprehended by the U.S. Secret Service for allegedly attempting to alter the White House fence while President Donald Trump was present.
Images online depicted a man in a blazer and blue sunglasses being escorted by officers in handcuffs.
A representative for the Secret Service mentioned that the individual was taken into custody for “illegal entry.”
“Agents from the Secret Service’s uniform division apprehended a man for attempting to expand the fence on the southeastern side of the U.S. Treasury and for illegal entry,” the spokesperson said. “He was subsequently taken to the 2nd District of the Metropolitan Police Station. Our conservation work was unaffected.”
As reported by the Daily Mail, this incident coincided with a protest in Washington, D.C., against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit.
It’s still unclear if the man was a threat to President Trump or if he had intentions regarding Netanyahu.
The most recent serious breach of White House security happened during President Biden’s term when a 19-year-old named Cybersis Kandula crashed a U-Haul truck into a security fence. A Nazi flag was discovered in the vehicle, and he later claimed he intended to kill President Biden.
In 2014, Omar J. Gonzalez, an Iraq War veteran, managed to jump the fence with a pocket knife during the Obama administration, penetrating the executive mansion before being subdued by agents. The Guardian reported that this incident triggered significant security reforms.
“A witness testified to the House Oversight Committee, stating that Gonzalez had overwhelmed the officer at the entrance and continued on until he reached another area behind the White House,” noted the Guardian.
“After running past the stairs leading to the first family’s residence, Gonzalez covered 80 feet in the East Room before being arrested at the green room doorway.
President Trump has survived two assassination attempts.
