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Virginia Man Arrested for Attempting to Set Car on Fire Near Capitol, Claimed to Have Napalm, During Trump's Visit

Jan 9, 2025, 02:27 AM

A 35-year-old Virginia man was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Wednesday after attempting to set his car on fire near the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial on First Street Northwest, close to the U.S. Capitol. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m., coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump's visit to the Capitol to meet with GOP senators and pay respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter. The man reportedly placed a bag containing accelerants on top of his spray-painted car and attempted to ignite it, allegedly telling a grounds crew worker, "I have napalm and I'm trying to light it on fire." The bag extinguished itself before the fire could spread. Capitol Police's Hazardous Incident Response Division and hazmat teams inspected the vehicle and declared it safe by 7 p.m. The man, aged 35, was charged with unlawful activities, and authorities stated there was no ongoing threat. Trump, 78, was present at the Capitol during the incident. This was one of two security incidents at the Capitol on the same day, the other involving a man attempting to bring weapons into the Capitol Visitor Center.