Security at the U.S. Capitol heightened in response to a breach just hours before a visit from President-elect Donald Trump.
Mel J. Horne, a 44-year-old from Washington, D.C., attempted to bring a machete and multiple knives into the Capitol Visitor Center, leading to his arrest, Fox News reported.
The incident unfolded on a wintry Wednesday as Mel J. Horne attempted to pass through the Capitol's rigorous security screening. During the check, which involved a magnetometer and X-ray, Horne openly placed two pocket knives and a box cutter into a plastic tray. However, a subsequent examination revealed a machete hidden in his bag.
This sequence of events unfolded during sensitive times, as the Capitol prepared for former President Jimmy Carter's Lying in State ceremony and an imminent gathering for the President-elect's inauguration amid heavy snowfall in the city. After his arrest, authorities held Horne for a pre-trial hearing, where they conditionally released him and issued a court order barring him from the Capitol.
Prior to his detainment, Horne explained to authorities that he carried the weapons due to his work in landscaping. However, he conceded that he was not heading to or returning from any job. Adding to his bewildering justification, Horne disclosed that he was homeless and carried these items wherever he went. This statement was documented in a police affidavit leading to his arrest.
Mel J. Horne's troubled background includes eviction from his parental home due to concerns about his substance use and erratic behavior. His mother noted in a civil complaint that his behavior had become increasingly violent following his use of PCP, which eventually led to his eviction. This prior eviction, filed by Horne's parents, was settled by allowing him indirect access to their property, though he continued to struggle with substance misuse and homelessness.
Brenda Horne, in a filing against her son, illustrated the depth of the family's crisis: "It took four visits from community resources on a single day to remove him due to violence, and he is still hospitalized trying to get out," she regretfully recounted.
Following the arrest, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger highlighted the constancy needed in security efforts. "Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second," he asserted post-incident, reflecting on the never-ending vigilance required to protect such a crucial national landmark.
The arrest came at a time when the Capitol security was already intensified, with fencing erected around its perimeters in anticipation of the 6th of January gathering. The timing of these security measures coincided with significant national events, including the death of former President Carter on December 29, 2024, whose body lay in state on January 8, 2025.
Officials are particularly cautious, given the potent combination of political events and recent security threats at Capitol. The ongoing security concerns echo the necessity of continuous monitoring and incident readiness across potentially vulnerable times. The charges against Horne include multiple accounts of carrying dangerous weapons, which he will face in court.
The recent incident at the Capitol underlines the ongoing security concerns as high-profile events continue to draw national and international attention. Mel J. Horne now must navigate the consequences of his actions, including legal repercussions and a mandated distance from the heart of U.S. democracy.
The arrest of Mel Horne spotlights ongoing security challenges on significant national occasions, the complexity associated with problematic substance use, and the responsibilities shouldered by law enforcement to maintain a safe and secure environment during pivotal moments in American civic life.
