Capitol Police arrest man with machete, knives in visitor center

The United States Capitol Police on Wednesday arrested a man who was allegedly attempting to bring a machete and knives into the Capitol visitor center as mourners shuffle through to see the late President Jimmy Carter lying in state.

Carter's casket will remain in the Capitol rotunda until Thursday morning, where he will be shuttled to the Washington National Cathedral for his official state funeral service. 

Capitol Police said the arrest occurred just after 2 p.m. during a security screening at the visitor center's northern doors. 

"Our officers spotted a machete in the man’s bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete," the police said in a thread on X. "Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete. Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated."

The man will be charged with multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, police said.

The arrest comes as the Capitol also prepares for President-elect Donald Trump to visit on Wednesday evening. Trump will also be at the state funeral on Thursday.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.