An armed man arrested near White House allegedly told Secret Service officers that voices instructed him to travel to Washington and assassinate Donald Trump. Authorities identified the suspect as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, describing him as a Venezuelan national unlawfully residing in the United States.
Secret Service officers approached Chrinos Thursday night after noticing suspicious behaviour inside a parked vehicle along Constitution Avenue near the White House. During questioning, he allegedly said voices inside his head instructed him to come to Washington and assassinate the president, according to officials.
Officers subsequently discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen, while Chrinos allegedly acknowledged that weapons were inside the car. Authorities searched the vehicle and discovered three firearms, including a rifle, alongside dozens of ammunition rounds, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed.
The discovery prompted officers to arrest Chrinos, who faces several firearms-related charges and additional allegations involving the vehicle and stolen property. Federal authorities listed charges involving unlawful firearm transportation, unregistered weapons and ammunition, dangerous weapons possession, and carrying a pistol without a licence.
Chrinos also faces allegations of unauthorized vehicle use, theft, and receiving stolen property, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Officials said Chrinos entered the United States through Texas in March 2024, and Border Patrol previously arrested him before releasing him.
He remains in U.S. Marshals Service custody, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reportedly lodged a detainer requesting his continued detention. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised Secret Service officers, saying their intervention prevented the suspect from potentially harming anyone.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran described the incident as evidence of serious threats facing officers protecting the White House complex. The armed man arrested near White House adds to recent cases involving threats against Trump and members of his family.
Authorities have not publicly detailed whether Chrinos has legal representation, while the White House referred questions about the arrest to federal agencies.
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