The Washington Sun

Main Navigation

Subscribe Log in
  • Newsletters
    • Sign up for our newsletters
    • The Washington Sun newsletter
    • Afternoon Sun
    • Metro
    • Sign up for Dana Milbank’s newsletter
    • Sign up for Matt K. Lewis’ newsletter
  • Weather
  • Campaigns
    • 2026 Election
    • 2028 Election
    • Democrats
    • Republicans
    • Influence
  • Congress
    • House
    • Senate
  • Metro
    • Latest in Metro
    • Tom Sietsema
  • Sports
    • Latest in Sports
    • All-DMV High School
  • Policy
    • Administration
    • Defense
    • Energy & Environment
    • Immigration
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Foreign Policy
    • Housing
    • Technology
  • National
    • Legal
    • U.S. News
  • Perspectives
    • Latest Perspectives
    • Dana Milbank
    • Matt K. Lewis
    • Features
    • Forums
  • Podcast
    • Washington Sun Cast • Episode List
    • Milbank & Lewis • Episode List
    • Listen on Apple Podcasts
    • Listen on Spotify
    • Watch on Youtube
  • Who Are We?
    • About The Washington Sun
    • Events
    • Work for us
    • Press Releases
    • Support FAQ
  • Follow Us
    • X (Twitter)
    • Bluesky
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
Subscribe
Log in

Support independent journalism. Subscribe for $50 for your first year. Limited time.

D.C.

2 Arrested Near White House After Car Crash and Barricade Breach

The incidents occurred around 10 a.m. near Lafayette Square, just north of the White House

wh_crash_lockdown.jpg

In this screen grab taken from a video, law enforcement officers rush towards a car that crashed near a security barrier at Lafayette Square directly north of the White House. (Martin Austermuhle/The Washington Sun)

By Kendall Staton

November 9, 2026 12:20 p.m.

  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Copy
    Link copied

The Secret Service arrested two people near the White House on Monday morning after a vehicle crashed onto the sidewalk near Lafayette Square and a person jumped a security barrier. Both incidents remain under investigation.

Secret Service Police and the National Guard responded to a vehicle that ran onto the sidewalk near the intersection of 16th Street NW and H Street NW around 10 a.m. Around the same time, a person hopped a barricade at the northwest corner of the park, which sits just in front of the White House, according to a statement from the Secret Service.

A video taken by Washington Sun reporter Martin Austermuhle at the scene shows law enforcement surrounding a smoking silver sedan on a brick walkway just north of the White House. Officers instruct the driver to get out of the vehicle. Shortly after, he emerges and appears combative as multiple officers wrestle him to the ground.

Unclear what happened but someone just drove into a sign on the north end of Lafayette Square Park and then fought with Secret Service and National Guard when they got out of their car. https://t.co/Mwcrk4klQn

— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) November 9, 2026

Trending

  • Kamala Harris

    The Clock Is Ticking for Kamala Harris

  • Haley Stevens

    Haley Stevens Was in the Republican Cloakroom for Congress’ First Votes Back Since the Election

  • Audi Field

    Inside the Spirit’s Mad Dash to Keep Its Playoff Game at Audi Field

  • A view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC.

    Gen X Is the Least Politically Influential Generation of All Time

The Secret Service moved reporters with the White House press pool inside during the incident. Multiple journalists in the pool said on social media they were placed in a “security lockdown” that has since been lifted.

Roads around the park were closed for a short time as the Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team did a sweep of the vehicle “as a precaution,” the Secret Service said.

Author

Kendall Staton Kendall Staton is a reporter at The Washington Sun.

Contributors

Emma Ruby Emma Ruby is a reporter at The Washington Sun and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow. STAFF_Martin Austermuhle_MUG-500px.png Martin Austermuhle is a reporter at The Washington Sun.

The Latest

  • D.C. drones

    D.C. Residents May Hear Drones Overhead the Next Two Nights. It’s A Drill.

  • DOJ building.

    Appeals Court Blocks DOJ’s Demand for Journalists’ LinkedIn Data

  • Bob Boone

    Bob Boone, All-Star Catcher and Longtime Nats Executive, Dies at 78

  • House Republicans

    Conservative Bomb Thrower Elected to Lead House Republicans

  • A view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC.

    Gen X Is the Least Politically Influential Generation of All Time

Welcome back to The Washington Sun!

You can always update your profile and newsletters preferences on the My Account page.

Manage account settings

Welcome to The Washington Sun

Subscribe to maintain unlimited access to independent journalism covering Washington's people, politics, and power.

Continue to checkout ↗
  • About The Washington Sun
  • Work for us
  • Terms of Use
  • Subscription Agreement Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your CA Privacy Rights
  • Support FAQ
  • Contact us

© 2026.0 NOTUS MEDIA, LLC