Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Man Arrested Near U.S. Capitol With Guillotine in Truck
Police arrested a man near the U.S. Capitol after finding a guillotine in his pickup truck.
The man was identified as 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le from California.
Police said he had driven from California to Washington, D.C. They arrested him shortly after 3 p.m.
Tuesday.
The guillotine was taken away by police.
Authorities are investigating why he made the trip and why he brought the device.
His brother said it was meant as a symbol of disagreement with the American political system.
The brother said Le dislikes both major political parties, as well as Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom.
United States Capitol Police arrested 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le of Julian, California.
Le was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday near the east side of the Capitol grounds.
Police said a guillotine was found in the bed of Le’s pickup truck and confiscated.
Le faces allegations involving possession of a guillotine and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Le’s brother said the device was built and transported as a symbol of disapproval of the American political system.
- Who
- United States Capitol Police arrested 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le of Julian, California.
- What
- Le was arrested after police found what they described as a guillotine in his pickup truck; police said he faces allegations involving possession of a guillotine and carrying a dangerous weapon.
- When
- Tuesday, shortly after 3 p.m. local time.
- Where
- Near the east side of the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Police are investigating the purpose of Le’s trip and the device; his brother said it represented disapproval of the American political system.
Police Investigation
Family Explanation
Meaning of the guillotine
Police Investigation
Police said they are investigating why Le transported the device to the Capitol area and arrested him in connection with possessing a guillotine and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Family Explanation
Le’s brother said the guillotine was built and transported as a symbol of disapproval of the American political system.
Political motivation
Police Investigation
Authorities had not publicly established a specific reason for the trip in the reported account.
Family Explanation
Le’s brother said Le was deeply dissatisfied with the political system and disliked both major political parties, Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom.
- Suspect
- Philan-Tam-Duy Le, 35, of Julian, California
- Arresting agency
- United States Capitol Police
- Arrest time
- Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday
- Location
- Near the east side of the U.S. Capitol grounds
- Item confiscated
- A device police described as a guillotine
- Reported motive
- Le’s brother described it as a symbol of disapproval of the American political system
- Political views cited
- Le’s brother said he strongly dislikes both major political parties, Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom