Washington, D.C. – Secret Service officers arrested a Venezuelan national near the White House on Thursday after he allegedly made threats against President Donald Trump and was found with multiple firearms and ammunition in a stolen vehicle. The incident occurred along Constitution Avenue, just steps from the National Mall and the White House complex, drawing immediate attention to presidential security and border enforcement protocols.
"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." Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secret Service officers approached Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos after observing him behaving suspiciously near a parked vehicle. During the confrontation, Chrinos allegedly informed officers that he was hearing voices that instructed him to kill President Trump. This statement prompted a rapid escalation of the encounter.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle associated with Chrinos had been reported stolen. Chrinos also disclosed to authorities that he had weapons inside the car. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered three firearms: an AR-15-style rifle, a MAC-10 handgun, and a Glock pistol. Officers also recovered dozens of rounds of ammunition. The discovery of the weapons and the alleged threat led to Chrinos being taken into custody.
Federal officials have not established that Chrinos attempted to enter the White House complex or carry out an attack. However, his alleged statements and the arsenal found in his vehicle raised significant security concerns among law enforcement agencies. Chrinos faces multiple charges, including carrying a rifle outside a home or business, unlawfully transporting firearms, possessing unregistered weapons and ammunition, theft, and receiving stolen property. He is currently held by the U.S. Marshals Service.
The incident also brought Chrinos’ immigration history into focus. DHS reported that the Venezuelan national entered the United States illegally through the southern border in March 2024. He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after crossing the Texas-Mexico border but was subsequently released into the country. Following his arrest on Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service, indicating a request to be notified before Chrinos' release from custody for potential immigration proceedings.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin commended the Secret Service officers for their swift action. "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 stated. He also voiced criticism regarding the circumstances surrounding Chrinos' presence in the country, adding, "On top of threatening President Trump, he is an illegal alien from Venezuela who had no business being in our country in the first place."
Secret Service Director Sean Curran also praised the officers' response, describing it as a potentially dangerous situation that was deescalated through trained protocols. Curran highlighted the broader security landscape, noting, "This incident reflects the heightened threat environment in which we operate, as well as the continued number of armed individuals who are drawn to the White House complex." He further expressed concern about the increasing volume of threat cases involving government officials. "While our personnel are trained to respond to situations like this and we remain confident in our tactics, we are alarmed by the increase in threat cases that continue to arise," Curran explained. He indicated that the Secret Service plans to expand its efforts to identify and investigate individuals who threaten those under federal protection, aiming to disrupt potential threats before they reach Washington.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether Chrinos had developed a specific plan to attack President Trump beyond his alleged statements. Additionally, his claims of hearing voices have not been accompanied by a publicly confirmed medical assessment. The arrest underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies in identifying and neutralizing potential threats to high-profile individuals and sensitive government installations, while also reigniting discussions about border security and the vetting processes for individuals entering the country.
