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Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s arrival to meet with Senate Republicans at the Capitol, police arrested a man who allegedly had a machete and three knives.

The man reportedly tried to enter the US Capitol building through a checkpoint on Wednesday but an X-ray machine at the visitor center checkpoint revealed the machete. United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers then searched his bag, finding three knives in addition to the machete.

A press release noted that 44-year-old Mel J. Horne, of Washington, D.C., was arrested on multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.

“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second,” USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger said. “It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe.”

While the checkpoint was temporarily closed as police investigated, it was reopened about an hour later. The USCP also noted that public viewing was not interrupted for the late President Jimmy Carter, who is lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

Trump was scheduled to meet with Senate Republicans and planned to pay his respects to the 39th president who died last month at the age of 100.

Security had reportedly been increased at the Capitol this week to cover the additional visitors and due to Congress’s vote to certify Trump as the 2024 presidential election winner.

“Horne will be interviewed by USCP investigators to determine his motive. At this time there is no ongoing threat towards the Congress, the U.S. Capitol, or the public,” the USCP press release noted.

But Horne’s arrest was not the only incident ahead of Trump’s arrival as officers also arrested 35-year-old Adrian J. Hinton, of Virginia who, according to USCP, allegedly attempted to set his car on fire along First Street, NW, near the Grant Memorial.

“Just before 5:30 p.m., USCP officers were alerted to a man who had parked on First Street, NW. The man had lit a bag, which was on top of his car, on fire. While officers ran over to the man, the bag extinguished on its own. The man was arrested,” a press release reported.

“Twice today our officers stopped a man who could have been a danger to the Capitol Hill community,” Chief Manger said. “This vigilance is critical during this time of heightened security.”

Frieda Powers
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