An man has driven into the barricades of the White House estate.
It is thought the area is now on lockdown while police investigate the incident, believed to have happened at around 10.30pm on Tuesday night (3.30am Wednesday in the UK). An image shared on social media shows a vehicle stationary by a set of security barricades near Donald Trump's residency.
Police confirmed a man has been arrested and the vehicle is now being assessed. No further details about the suspect, such as his age or where he is from, have been disclosed at this stage.
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Crash comes amid White House $250m ballroom renovation
The crash comes the same week a huge $250m renovation - ordered by Donald Trump - started at the White House.
Construction crews started tearing down the East Wing, where the 90,000 sqft ballroom is being built.
The ballroom will dwarf the White House and hold nearly 1000 people.
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Footage shows car outside White House
BREAKING NEWS: car at White House appears to have either stopped at or struck the barricades and several blocks around the complex now shut down as Secret Service investigates. pic.twitter.com/unJ14nj4G5
— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) October 22, 2025
President Trump was in the White House at time of the breach
In its statement, the Secret Service said President Trump was in the White House at the time.
However, the presidential complex where he resides was not placed on lockdown.
It's expected that the road leading to the gate will stay closed until the vehicle is towed.
Incident follows last year's tragedy at the perimeter gate
Last year, a driver died after crashing a vehicle into the White House perimeter gate.
The fatal collision was being investigated as a "traffic crash" and there was no threat to the president's residence according to local law enforcement at the time. The male driver was found dead inside the vehicle at an outer perimeter gate of the White House at around 10:30pm on Saturday May 4, 2024.
The Washington Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the crash took place at the security barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Washington resident expresses hope for others
One Washington resident posted on X: "This is no small deal—looks like the security measures held firm, though.
"Hope everyone’s safe, and it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds with the investigation."
Others have urged people to "keep safe" amid the lockdown.
Lockdown in the vicinity continues
The collision has led to a complete lockdown of the immediate area around the checkpoint, impacting traffic and access in the northwest region of Washington DC, near the presidential complex.
But authorities have reminded locals the driver of the vehicle was promptly taken into custody at the scene of the collision.
Initial reports indicate the individual is detained, and the cause and manner of the incident are under investigation.
Where exactly did this happen?
The security breach happened just south of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to the southwest of the White House.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, part of the White House, is a prominent government building.
It is thought this building - and others - are on lockdown at the moment.
BREAKING: A vehicle has rammed into security barricades near the White House — at 17th & E NW, just south of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The area is now on lockdown.
— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) October 22, 2025
Secret Service responding. pic.twitter.com/5qgDe8Molj
What we know so far about the Washington DC breach
A man has been taken into custody after driving his car into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said.
The US Secret Service said the man crashed into the security gate at a White House entrance at 10:37pm on Tuesday. The man was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said.
Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe, Secret Service officials said in a statement.
Authorities did not immediately provide any additional information about the crash, the driver’s identity or any potential motivation.
Secret Service statement on the incident in FULL
The Secret Service has issued a full statement on the incident.
The passage has been shared on Twitter.
In response, Washington locals have urged others to "stay safe" and keep vigilant there tonight.
At approximately 10:37 p.m., an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th & E St, NW, in Washington, DC. The individual was arrested & the vehicle was assessed and deemed safe. Our investigation into the cause of this collision is ongoing.
— U.S. Secret Service Office of Communications (@SecretSvcSpox) October 22, 2025
Secret Service seen with guns around White House
Members of the Secret Service have been seen near the White House in the aftermath of the breach.
Some are seen with guns as they patrol the residency parameters.
The driver has been taken into custody.
Lots of US Secret Service near the White House (some with long guns out) after a car crashed near a security checkpoint at 17th Street & E Street NW in Washington DC.
— The DC MD VA Live (@TheDMVLive) October 22, 2025
Initial reports of the driver being taken in custody on scene. pic.twitter.com/jiIrlxP6sA
Police in Washington confirm vehicle rammed Secret Service vehicle gate
Police have now confirmed "an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate" near the White House.
"At approximately 10.37pm, an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th & E St, NW, in Washington, DC. The individual was arrested & the vehicle was assessed and deemed safe. Our investigation into the cause of this collision is ongoing," the police spokesperson has said.