White House lockdown after car hits sign near Lafayette Park, Secret Service confirms

The White House went into a short lockdown on Monday morning after a passenger car hit an informational sign. The crash happened on a nearby pavement by Lafayette Park. The Secret Service ordered the lockdown at 10:02 am local time. Reporters were told to shelter in the briefing room.

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Officials said the incident occurred just before 10:00 am on the north side of Lafayette Park. The location was near 16th Street and H Street, NW. Secret Service Police and the National Guard responded to the scene. Reporters were allowed to leave about 20 minutes later.

White House lockdown after Lafayette Park crash

A Secret Service spokesperson said the vehicle mounted the pavement after the crash. The driver then argued with the Secret Service and the National Guard. The spokesperson said the driver was combative with officers. The driver was quickly taken into custody, according to the statement.

Social media posts described what bystanders heard during the arrest. The person was heard shouting, Oh my God, as officers escorted them away from Lafayette Square. Authorities did not confirm those posts in the statement. The incident still triggered added security steps near the park.

White House lockdown triggers security sweep near Lafayette Park

As a precaution, the Metropolitan Police Departments Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called. The team was asked to sweep the vehicle. The Secret Service also said roads around Lafayette Park have been closed. Officials did not give a reopening time in the statement.

The Secret Service reported a second incident around the same time. A second individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park. That person was also quickly placed under arrest, the agency said. Authorities treated both events as separate incidents during the response.

US President Donald Trump was not in the Oval Office when the crash occurred. Authorities said both incidents are currently under investigation, Fox News reported. The Secret Service has not released more details about motives. The agency described the actions taken as part of standard safety measures.

With inputs from PTI