Man arrested after police find guillotine on truck near US Capitol

On August 25, 2026, U.S. Capitol Police arrested 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le from Julian, California, after discovering a full-sized guillotine in the back of his truck. The suspect had illegally parked his vehicle on the east side of the Capitol complex near the U.S. Supreme Court. Police took him into custody shortly after 15:00, charging him with possession of a prohibited weapon.

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the suspect’s long-distance journey from California to Washington, D.C., and his motivations for transporting the device to the nation's capital. While the legislative and judicial bodies are currently in recess, the proximity of the suspect to these high-security institutions has prompted a thorough investigation into his background and intentions. Officials continue to analyze the incident to determine if any further criminal intent or security threat existed.