Car Crashes Near Lafayette Park, Prompting White House Lockdown

A car mounted the sidewalk and hit an informational sign beside Lafayette Park, a short distance north of the White House, during the morning of Monday, November 9. The incident prompted a temporary lockdown at the executive mansion while President Donald Trump was there preparing for meetings.

At about 10 a.m., the Secret Service directed most reporters at the White House to go inside and stay there. Police ordered the driver to the ground. Video circulating online showed the driver getting out of the smoking vehicle and confronting federal officials.

The car did not reach the White House gates, which are more than a block away. The cause of the crash and the driver’s identity were not immediately clear. There were no immediate reports of injuries. The incident occurred near a park area frequented by pedestrians and people taking photos with the White House in the background.