Washington: Security personnel briefly restricted access to the White House on Monday morning after a car mounted the sidewalk and struck an informational sign near Lafayette Park, triggering a confrontation between the driver and law enforcement officers. Two people were arrested in separate incidents in the area.
The first incident occurred shortly before 10 am local time near the intersection of 16th Street and H Street NW, just north of the White House. The driver became combative with Secret Service personnel and National Guard troops who responded to the crash.
The Secret Service placed the White House under lockdown at 10:02 am and directed journalists to remain inside the briefing room. The restrictions were lifted roughly 20 minutes later.
A Secret Service spokesperson said officers had responded to the crash and quickly arrested the driver.
"The driver was combative with law enforcement, but was quickly placed under arrest," the spokesperson said.
In a separate incident around the same time, another individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park. Secret Service personnel also took that person into custody.
Authorities have not established whether the two incidents were connected. Both remain under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to examine the vehicle as a precaution. Roads around Lafayette Park were temporarily closed while the security operation was underway.
US President Donald Trump was at the White House when the incidents occurred, but was not in the Oval Office, according to the PTI report. Reuters also reported that he was at the presidential complex at the time.
Video footage shared by journalists showed officers and National Guard personnel surrounding a smoking car on the park's walkway as they detained the driver.
No motive for either incident had been established in the initial reports. Authorities have not released the identities of the two arrested individuals.