Sai Varshit Kandula, 19, from Missouri, crashed his truck into the White House fence and told officials he wanted to “seize power” and “kill the president”. NBC referring to the detainee’s statement attached to the criminal case.
On May 22, Kandula will depart for St. He rented a U-Haul truck right after he left St. Louis for Washington. Around 9:35 pm he was driving on the sidewalk near the White House and crashed into a metal fence. Kandula came back a second time and hit the fence and was subsequently detained by the police.
None of the White House guards or staff were injured.
Kandula pulled a swastika flag out of his backpack, telling law enforcement the Nazis had a “great story”. He described Hitler as an admired “strong leader”.
A suspicious package was found a block from the White House right after Kandula’s arrest. Guests were evicted from a nearby hotel. The find turned out to be safe.
“Kill the President”
The man later told authorities that he had carefully planned the attack for six months. His goal was “to enter the White House, seize power and take over the nation.” “When agents asked how Kandula would seize power, he said he would kill the president,” the police report said.
Kandula has appeared before the Washington Supreme Court, and a hearing will be held in Federal Court on May 24.
“The driver of a van that crashed into the security fence in Lafayette Square near the White House on Monday night has been arrested on multiple charges, including threatening to kill or harm the president, vice president or any of their families,” police said. CNN.
Kandula is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless driving, damage to federal property and trespassing.
“Cute and calm”
Kandula’s acquaintances describe him as a calm and non-confrontational person. “He was sweet and calm. I never expected him to do something like this,” American Herrion Barfield, who was on the Marquette High track and field team with Kandula, told NBC News.
Pranav Nagila, a classmate of the detainee, stressed that he could not understand that he was carrying the Nazi flag.
“I didn’t find him repulsive or anything like that. “He just seemed like a very distant person,” said Nagila, who is now a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Biden in place
Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said at a regular news briefing that President Biden was at the White House the day the van crashed through the fence.
“Obviously the President was here yesterday, working in the White House. And of course he was here last night,” she said.
The politician was briefed on the incident on 23 May. “The President was told [об инциденте] morning. Representatives of both the Secret Service and the park ranger gave him the information they know now,” Jean-Pierre explained.