The White House faced a temporary security lockdown on Monday, November 9, after a vehicle crashed near the presidential residence in Washington, according to reports from the scene.
Secret Service Restricts White House Press Corps
Journalists covering the White House received instructions from the Secret Service to move indoors as security personnel responded to the collision. Connor Stringer, a correspondent for The Telegraph, noted on social media that reporters were ordered to take shelter inside the building.
Jennifer Jacobs, a journalist at CBS, reported that the restrictions stemmed from an incident near Lafayette Square, a park situated directly north of the presidential grounds. Video footage shared by Martin Austermuhle, a journalist at the Washington Sun, captured officers detaining an individual near a damaged vehicle at the northern edge of the park.
Vehicle Collision and Physical Altercation at Lafayette Square
The disruption began when a vehicle drove onto a paved area in a secured zone, striking a signpost near the northern end of Lafayette Square. Witnesses observed white smoke rising from the automobile following the impact.
The driver exited the car and engaged in a physical struggle with responding personnel. Secret Service officers and members of the National Guard intervened to subdue and detain the suspect.
apparently due to an incident that occurred at Lafayette Square park
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS
Security Measures Lifted as Normal Operations Resume
The emergency protocols remained in place only briefly before authorities cleared the area. The confinement order was lifted, allowing reporters to leave the press room where they had been gathered.
