A man was arrested near the White House after US Secret Service officers allegedly found three firearms, including a rifle, and ammunition inside a vehicle reported stolen. The Department of Homeland Security said the suspect had also made threats against US President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening in Washington, according to a DHS statement reported on 7 November 2026. The suspect, identified as Venezuelan national Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, was taken into custody and is being held by the US Marshals Service.
What happened near the White House?
Secret Service officers approached Chrinos after reportedly observing him behaving suspiciously while parked on Constitution Avenue. During the interaction, authorities said he told officers that he had heard voices telling him to kill Trump.
Officers then discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen. According to DHS, the suspect acknowledged that weapons were inside the car.
A search allegedly uncovered:
- Three firearms
- One rifle
- Dozens of rounds of ammunition
The arrest took place near one of the most heavily protected government sites in the United States. No injuries were reported in the information provided by authorities.
Charges and custody status
DHS said Chrinos faces multiple charges, including possession of dangerous weapons and theft. The available information does not state that he has been convicted, and the allegations will be subject to the US criminal justice process.
The suspect is in the custody of the US Marshals Service. Further court proceedings are expected to determine the status of the case, including any additional charges and the conditions of detention.
DHS also said Chrinos entered the United States illegally through Texas in March 2024. That claim concerns his immigration status and is separate from the criminal allegations arising from the Washington incident.
Security concerns around the presidential complex
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the case reflected what he described as a heightened threat environment and the continued presence of armed individuals near the White House complex.
Curran said officers are trained to respond to such situations but expressed concern about the number of threat cases involving the president. The comments came as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited Secret Service officers with intervening before anyone was harmed. His statement also referred to the suspect’s immigration status, although the criminal case remains unresolved.
Why the incident matters
The arrest highlights the security challenges facing the Secret Service when individuals carrying weapons approach protected government locations. Constitution Avenue is close to the White House and other federal buildings, making suspicious vehicles and reported threats matters requiring an immediate response.
It also combines several separate issues that authorities will need to address:
- The alleged threat against the president
- The discovery of firearms and ammunition
- The reported theft of the vehicle
- The suspect’s immigration history
- The assessment of any mental-health or public-safety concerns
Officials have not provided further details about the alleged voices, the motive, or whether the suspect had made previous threats. Those questions may be examined during the investigation and court proceedings.
What happens next?
Federal authorities are expected to continue investigating the weapons, the vehicle and the alleged threat. Prosecutors will determine which charges proceed, while the courts will consider the evidence and the suspect’s legal status.
Until the case is resolved, allegations should not be treated as established facts. The DHS account describes the initial circumstances of the arrest, while a court will determine criminal responsibility.
Conclusion
The arrest near the White House underscores the security demands facing US protective agencies after an armed suspect allegedly threatened President Donald Trump. The immediate outcome was the recovery of three firearms and ammunition without reported injuries, but the wider case will now move through the federal justice system.