With Election Day in full swing and security at peak levels across Washington, D.C., Capitol Police on Tuesday detained a man at the Capitol Visitor Center who was reportedly carrying suspicious items, including a flare gun, a torch lighter, and bottles with a strong gasoline odor.
The arrest heightens concerns in the capital as officials prepare for potential unrest, primarily because of former President Donald Trump’s increasingly violent rhetoric.
In recent weeks, Trump, now convicted on 34 felony counts and twice impeached, has ramped up his inflammatory language, urging supporters to “fight like hell” against what he continues to call a “rigged system.”
The statements come despite his numerous legal battles, including recent criminal convictions, civil fraud cases, and claims of election interference. His calls have drawn condemnation from political opponents and concern from law enforcement officials who see the rhetoric as stoking the fires of division.
The man arrested Tuesday, reportedly in his 20s and from Michigan, approached the Capitol Visitor Center around 12:20 p.m. Wearing a coat and carrying a backpack, he hesitated momentarily at the security checkpoint but eventually complied.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger stated that officers noticed “something in the shape of a firearm” and a powerful odor of gasoline from his backpack, prompting them to detain him immediately. Inside, police found a flare gun, a torch lighter, and two water bottles containing an unknown accelerant.
Initial investigations reveal that the man may have posted videos online related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, though Manger emphasized that the suspect’s motives remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, security measures across Washington have been bolstered in anticipation of Election Day’s potential outcomes. Capitol Police have increased patrols, and all available D.C. Metropolitan Police officers are working extended shifts.
Fencing has been erected around the White House and other federal buildings. Local businesses have also boarded up windows, preparing for possible unrest in response to the deeply polarized political climate and Trump’s charged rhetoric.
Manger stressed the importance of safeguarding the Capitol in these uncertain times.
“The Capitol will remain safe, and our officers are prepared to confront any threats,” he said. “The safety of those in our nation’s capital is our priority.”
