Police investigators removed an apparent Nazi flag from a U-Haul truck that crashed into a fence near the White House on Monday night. Eyewitnesses say the truck was driven twice into a barrier before coming to a stop. The incident took place on the north side of Lafayette Park at 16th and H St, NW. Police laid the flag on the sidewalk near the truck, apparently for the media to film, before folding it up and taking it away.
The driver was arrested by Secret Service agents. No injuries were reported. Several neighboring buildings, including two hotels – the Hay Adams and the Sofitel – were evacuated as a precaution. A robot was sent to inspect the truck for explosives.
A photo of the flag was posted by WUSA-TV reporter Troy Pope.
NEW: Investigators have removed what appears to be a Nazi flag from the U-Haul, but have not provided any further details.
Here’s what we know: https://t.co/cXt81Ji2NA pic.twitter.com/jBsb1uPJA3
— Troy Pope (@troycpope) May 23, 2023
Video:
https://twitter.com/KatieLusso/status/1660863600737525762
Video by freelancer Nathan Howard shows the flag being folded up and taken away by police after it was presented to the media for filming.
What appears to be a Nazi flag has just been removed from the cab of a U Haul truck that slammed into the Lafayette Square fence in front of the White House.
For @Reuters pic.twitter.com/bOH8NuROG3
— Nathan Howard (@SmileItsNathan) May 23, 2023
NEW VIDEO: Chris says he was on his way home from his run to the mall when he saw a Uhaul driver crash into the Lafayette Park barricade near the White House a second time.
“I decided it was time to get the hell out of here,” he said.📹: @itszaboji
Stay with @fox5dc #breakup #dc pic.twitter.com/hE3JoRCFV5—Angie Goff (@OhMyGOFF) May 23, 2023
I took this photo of the White House and immediately heard a crash behind me.
I thought someone accidentally crashed until the U-Haul backed up and tried to go through the barriers again.
Kudos to the Secret Service Police for their quick response and action! pic.twitter.com/qIq3PbBJFj
—Benjamin Berger (@BenB005) May 23, 2023
BREAKING: The Secret Service is currently using a robot to search for the U-HAUL truck that collided with security barriers in Lafayette Square near the White House. @fox5dc @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/QvhpOyM44V
– Stone Shomari (@shomaristone) May 23, 2023
WUSA reported a statement from the Secret Service:
“Shortly before 10:00 p.m. Monday, agents from the Secret Service uniformed division arrested the driver of a van truck after the vehicle collided with security barriers on the north side of Lafayette Square on 16th Street. He There were no injuries to Secret Service or White House personnel and the cause and manner of the crash are still under investigation. Road closures are in effect and pedestrian walkways are closed. closed while we investigate.”
WTTG-TV reporter Shomari Stone reported from the scene. The Secret Service closed streets two blocks from the incident:
#BREAKING: According to @Secret Servicethe driver of a U-Haul is in custody after the truck slammed into security barriers near the White House. @shomaristone was the FIRST on stage with a LIVE report.
DETAILS HERE ➖ https://t.co/OlDdHgALCs pic.twitter.com/jK4Sdq17CA
— Sierra Fox (@thesierrafox) May 23, 2023
WRC-TV reported that the Secret Service was investigating a “suspicious package” in Lafayette Square.
BREAKING: Authorities are investigating a suspicious package after a U-Haul truck crashed into a fence near the White House Monday night. https://t.co/fFhJZnM1S4
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) May 23, 2023
The green light was given just before midnight.
UPDATE: ALL CLEAR GIVEN: @DCPoliceDept NMS, @Secret Service And @dcfireems determined that the vehicle was safe. A robotic unit was used during this investigation.
— DC REALTIME NEWS (@RealTimeNews10) May 23, 2023
Strange coincidence a week after Joe Biden tried to stoke racial division by telling black graduate students at Howard University that white supremacy was “the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland“On the same day, the so-called FBI Patriot Front operations group, known to use U-Haul trucks, marched in DC