A man demanding to speak to President Trump drove his car onto a sidewalk near the White House on Saturday, prompting a major security response in the heart of Washington, D.C.
The incident unfolded around noon at the corner of 16th Street and H Street at Lafayette Square, where the driver allegedly steered onto the sidewalk near a security barrier. Metropolitan Police Department officers, military personnel and Secret Service officers all converged on the scene.
The man was taken into custody while still insisting he be allowed to speak with Trump, apparently not knowing the president was away at Camp David for the weekend.
A Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement that the man was transported to a nearby hospital for a “mental health evaluation.” The spokesperson added that surrounding roads were shut down “out of an abundance of caution” while authorities investigated.
“We appreciate the swift actions of our Secret Service Police Officers and are grateful for the Metropolitan Police Department for their prompt response,” the Secret Service said.
A sweep of the man’s vehicle found nothing hazardous, the spokesperson noted.
The episode marks at least the third vehicle-related security breach near the White House complex this year. In March, a driver plowed through a temporary security barricade at Madison Place and H Street Northwest near Lafayette Park and was detained. That incident followed an October 2025 arrest when the driver of a grey Acura attempted to smash through the security gate outside the White House while Trump was inside the executive mansion.
Saturday’s breach comes amid heightened concerns about threats against Trump, who has faced multiple assassination attempts during his time in office and the 2024 campaign. In July 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks nearly shot Trump in the head while the then-candidate delivered a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. More recently, California schoolteacher Cole Allen, 31, allegedly opened fire one floor above the grand ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25. Allen allegedly struck the bulletproof vest of a Secret Service agent, who returned fire but missed. Allen remains in federal custody awaiting trial.
Trump was not present at the correspondents’ dinner, which has historically drawn presidents but has seen mixed attendance during his administrations.
The Secret Service has not indicated whether additional security measures will be implemented around Lafayette Square following Saturday’s incident.