USCP Reveals Armed Man Breached Capitol Security Day After Trump’s Inauguration

The United States Capitol Police (USCP), in a very awkward situation, must explain how a man with a 9mm pistol tucked inside his waistband was able to pass through their security screening. This happened just 24 hours after Donald Trump was sworn in at the Capitol Rotunda.

A security breach occurred Tuesday afternoon when a man, 27, from Massachusetts, was able to pass through the security screening area of the South Checkpoint at the Capitol Visitors Center despite magnetometers going off. An officer also conducted a pat-down.

The man was identified by USCP to be James Faber. He then took a tour of Capitol Hill and was apprehended later outside the nearby Library of Congress.

Local media reported that the U.S. Secret Service, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and the U.S. Secret Service had met Faber at an early Tuesday morning hotel in D.C. after receiving information about a man who was suicidal with a firearm heading for the District. The gun was not found during a search of Faber’s hotel room and the surrounding area.

USCP received notification later that afternoon of Farber’s successful entry into the Capitol Building. A lookout alert was issued. Farber was arrested and noted as possibly having mental issues and suicidal thoughts.

Fox News’ Chad Pergram tweeted the USCP account of the arrest.

“On Tuesday, January, 21st the United States Capitol Police received a call for a lookout to find a man who had been reported as having mental health issues. He was also believed to have suicidal tendencies and be in the vicinity. USCP officers spotted a man’s vehicle on First Street near East Capitol Street NE at approximately 1:15 p.m. The officers canvassed the area and found that the man recently visited the Capitol Visitor Center and had taken a Capitol Tour. The man was discovered leaving the Library of Congress after his tour at approximately 2:15 pm. He then walked towards his vehicle. He was searched and arrested after being stopped. In his waistband, a small 9mm pistol was found. James A. Faber, 27, of Massachusetts was arrested on charges of Unlawful Activities and Possession of an unregistered firearm, as well as Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Resisting Arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling the case. USCP security footage shows that the man entered the building through the CVC south checkpoint. The man was allowed into the building after the magnetometers had sounded. The officer has been suspended while USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducts an administrative investigation into the officer’s search. The man’s intentions are not known at this point. The good news is that nobody was injured. USCP requires the highest standards in screening visitors. A full review has been ordered as well as mandatory training on security screening to ensure this does not happen again.”

Faber did not intend to harm anyone. However, the news is not what you want to hear after Trump’s inauguration. This is especially true when considering the numerous assassination efforts on the president in the past six months. I hope the USCP uses this opportunity to tighten its procedures and train its officers.

The officer who cleared Faber following the hand search was suspended by the USCP pending the outcome of an investigation.