Washongton DC: A Venezuelan national has been arrested near the White House after allegedly telling US Secret Service officers that voices in his head had instructed him to travel to Washington and kill President Donald Trump.
The suspect, identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, was taken into custody on Thursday night after Secret Service officers noticed him behaving suspiciously inside a parked vehicle, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
During questioning, Chrinos allegedly told officers that he had heard voices directing him to come to the US capital and assassinate Trump.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed that it had been reported stolen. Officers also recovered three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition from inside the vehicle.
DHS identified Chrinos as a Venezuelan migrant who entered the United States illegally through Texas in March 2024. He has since been charged and remains in the custody of the US Marshals Service.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the Secret Service officers for their swift response, saying their intervention prevented a potentially dangerous situation.
“Thanks to our brave Secret Service officers, this illegal alien with three firearms in his vehicle was arrested near the White House before he could harm anyone,” Mullin said in a statement.
The White House declined to comment on the incident and referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security and the US Secret Service.
The arrest comes amid a series of security incidents and alleged threats targeting Trump and members of his family since he returned to the White House in January 2025.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the suspect’s presence near the presidential residence.
