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Politics

White House Briefly Locked Down After Car Crashes Into Sign Near Lafayette Park as Trump Inside

A driver crashed onto the sidewalk at Lafayette Park on Monday morning and fought with officers before his arrest, while a second man was arrested after jumping a barricade. President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the brief lockdown.

By admin Nov. 9, 2026 · 6:44 PM ET 2 min read

The White House seen across a lawn and black iron fence, framed by autumn trees in Lafayette Park.

WASHINGTON — The White House was placed on a brief lockdown Monday morning after a car drove onto the sidewalk near Lafayette Park and crashed into an informational sign, while President Donald Trump was inside the building.

Secret Service police and National Guard members responded just before 10 a.m. to the north side of the park at 16th Street and H Street NW, the Secret Service said in a statement. The driver fought with officers and was quickly placed under arrest, the statement said.

A brick walkway in Lafayette Park covered in fallen autumn leaves, with yellow police tape strung between trees and the White House in the distance.

At almost the same time, a second man jumped over a security barrier near the northwest corner of the park and was also arrested. The Secret Service said it was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were connected, and it did not say whether the crash was deliberate.

The sedan stopped more than a block from the White House gates and never reached the security fence around the grounds, according to the Secret Service and the New York Post. The White House press pool was held in the briefing room until the lockdown was lifted. The New York Post reported the restrictions lasted about 20 minutes; J News Network, citing the Secret Service, put the lockdown at about 30 minutes.

Three uniformed officers seen from behind standing at a metal security barrier on a Washington street.

Explosive ordnance team called to sweep the car

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to sweep the vehicle as a precaution, the Secret Service said. Roads around Lafayette Park were closed while officers worked the scene.

No injuries were reported, and no gunfire was reported, according to the Secret Service and the New York Post. The driver was led away in handcuffs and could be heard shouting “oh my God” as officers walked him down Pennsylvania Avenue, the New York Post reported.

An aerial view of Lafayette Park in autumn, with tree-lined paths and the White House in the distance.

The Secret Service has not released the names of the two people arrested or any charges against them. Both incidents are under investigation, the agency said.

Trump was at the White House ahead of meetings with the prime minister of Qatar and UFC executive Dana White, the New York Post reported.

Reporting based on coverage by the New York Post and J News Network.

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