A vehicle crashed into a security barrier near the White House late Tuesday night, prompting an immediate response from the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department.
The incident occurred just south of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a key part of the White House complex that houses many senior staff offices.
According to the Secret Service, the crash took place at approximately 10:37 p.m. when a vehicle drove into a gate at 17th Street and E Street NW in Washington, D.C.
In a statement posted to X, the agency confirmed that the driver was taken into custody shortly after the collision. The vehicle was examined by Secret Service officers and city police, who determined it was “safe” after a full security assessment.
“Our investigation into the cause of this collision is ongoing,” the agency said in its post. Officials have not yet released the identity of the suspect or indicated a motive.
President Donald Trump was confirmed to be inside the White House at the time of the incident, according to reports. The New York Times noted that while the immediate area around the crash was temporarily closed off, the White House itself was not placed on lockdown. Authorities, however, sealed off the street leading to the affected gate until the vehicle could be removed.
The collision occurred near one of the most heavily guarded stretches of Washington, underscoring the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement responsible for protecting the president and White House personnel.
Although details remain scarce, the swift response by the Secret Service appeared to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Incidents involving vehicles breaching or striking barriers near the White House have become rare in recent years due to heightened security and expanded protective perimeters.
The current procedures—developed during both Republican and Democratic administrations—aim to detect and neutralize potential threats before they reach the inner grounds of the executive complex.
Neither President Trump nor the White House has issued a public comment on the event as of Tuesday evening. The administration has often emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous security protocols, particularly given the symbolic and operational significance of the White House as the seat of the presidency.
The Secret Service, which has faced increased scrutiny and pressure over the years to ensure absolute protection of the president, reiterated that the investigation remains active.
Officials said further details, including the driver’s background and possible intent, would be released once available.
For now, the area around the crash remains closed to pedestrians and vehicles as law enforcement continues its examination of the site.
The swift resolution of the situation—without injury to law enforcement, the public, or the president—highlights the Secret Service’s rapid response capability in the face of unexpected security incidents.
The White House has not yet provided additional information regarding when full access to the affected area will resume.
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