Capitol Police arrest man with knives in swastika-painted truck outside DNC

U.S. Capitol Police said they had arrested a man with multiple knives in a pickup truck covered in white supremacist symbols outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee on Monday morning.

According to a statement issued by Capitol Police, a Special Operation Division officer spotted the truck, which had “a swastika and other white supremacist symbols painted on it,” outside the DNC’s headquarters around midnight on Monday.

The officer noticed that the truck had a picture of an American flag in place of a license plate, and inside the truck were a bayonet and machete, both of which are illegal in Washington, D.C.

The inside of the suspect's truck. (Capitol Police via Twitter)
The inside of the suspect's truck. (Capitol Police via Twitter)

The driver, Donald Craighead of California, told officers he was “on patrol” and, according to the Capitol Police statement, “began talking about white supremacist ideology and other rhetoric pertaining to white supremacy.” He was arrested for possession of prohibited weapons.

“This is an excellent example of the work our officers do every day,” Operational Services Bureau Deputy Chief Jason Bell said in the statement. “We are so proud of these officers for their vigilance.”

The Capitol Police said it was not clear whether Craighead was planning to attend any upcoming demonstrations near the U.S. Capitol.

The arrest comes days before a planned right-wing rally in Washington, D.C., which has prompted increased security concerns.

The Sept. 18 "Justice for J6" event is being organized by a former Trump campaign official, Matt Braynard, in support of the more than 600 people charged so far in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection, when a violent mob of hundreds of former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building while lawmakers were in the process of certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

At least four people died as a result of the attack, in addition to five officers who have died since they helped to defend the Capitol. Four of those officers committed suicide.

Monday's arrest comes after the release of new video footage of a suspect the FBI believes planted pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee on the eve of the Jan. 6 riot.

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