Police officials at the US Capitol building have arrested a man with a machete and three knives as he made attempts to enter through a checkpoint on Wednesday.
According to Capitol Police,
the machete was seen by an X-ray machine at an entrance to the building’s visitor centre and the knives were found during a search of his bag.
The man, who police have yet to name, was arrested on multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
The arrest came shortly before a visit by the President-elect, Donald Trump, who planned to meet with Senate Republicans.
Trump was also scheduled to view the casket of former President Jimmy Carter, who is currently lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, – a large room in the centre of the building which contains both the US House and Senate chambers.
Since this week, there has been increased security around the Capitol complex in Washington DC
as lawmakers met on Monday to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election.
The apprehended man will be charged with multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon.