A person claiming to possess a Molotov cocktail and a knife was detained on the East Plaza near the U.S. Capitol on Monday, according to Capitol Police. The individual was taken into custody for unlawful activities, though further details on their identity or intent have not been released.

Washington D.C. police search a car outside the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building, Jan. 27, 2025.

Approximately a dozen Capitol Police vehicles, including armored units, responded to the scene, joined by bomb squad officers stationed near the Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building. The situation was brought under control without any reported injuries or threats to the public.

This incident follows a recent security breach at the Capitol. Last week, a Massachusetts man was found carrying a gun after attending a Capitol tour and leaving the nearby Library of Congress. The back-to-back incidents highlight ongoing concerns about security at the nation’s legislative hub.