Philan-Tam-Duy Le, a 35-year-old from Julian, California, was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday afternoon after authorities discovered a guillotine in the bed of his pickup truck parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street, near the U.S. Supreme Court and the Capitol building. Officers responded around 3 p.m. when they noticed the vehicle was illegally parked, according to a statement from Capitol Police.
Le drove from California to Washington, D.C., and has been charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, authorities said. Investigators are examining his background to determine why he traveled to the capital. The Secret Service confirmed it is not involved in the investigation.
"USCP investigators are going through the suspect's background to learn more about why he came to Washington, DC," Capitol Police said in their statement.
Photos released by police show a tall, apparently life-sized guillotine sitting in the back of a black pickup truck. Kelvin Le told the Los Angeles Times that he recognized the truck as belonging to his brother and described him as a free spirit who worked as a tattoo artist and performed piercings while traveling around the country.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and progressive advocacy groups emphasized that threats against government officials and institutions represent a broader concern regardless of political ideology. Representative Zoe Lofgren of California said in a statement that "any threat to the Supreme Court, its justices, or the Capitol complex is a threat to our democracy."
Organizations focused on political violence prevention noted that while details about Le's motive remain unclear, the incident reflects ongoing tensions around high-profile government proceedings. The Brennan Center for Justice has documented increases in threats against federal officials in recent years.
"We should be concerned anytime someone travels across the country with a weapon to an area where elected officials and judges work," said a spokesperson for Protect Democracy, who spoke on background due to ongoing investigations. "The fact that we don't yet know the motive makes thorough investigation even more critical."
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers pointed to previous incidents targeting conservative justices as evidence of persistent security challenges at the Supreme Court. Senate Minority Leader John Thune said the arrest underscores the need for continued vigilance around the judiciary.
"We've seen repeated threats against Supreme Court justices, particularly those involved in contentious decisions," Thune said during brief remarks to reporters. "The Capitol Police and Supreme Court police do important work, but we must ensure they have the resources and authorities needed."
Conservative commentators noted that Le's brother told the Los Angeles Times his sibling was generally happy about American politics and disliked both President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Some on the right argued this suggests no clear ideological motive in this particular case.
"Unlike other recent cases where suspects left manifestos tied to specific political grievances, we appear to be dealing with a different situation here," said Ben Shapiro, who hosts "The Ben Shapiro Show." "That said, security at the Supreme Court must remain paramount regardless of perceived motive."
What the Numbers Show
Le's arrest follows several recent incidents involving threats against government officials. Last week, Ryan Michael English was sentenced to 73 months in federal prison followed by 36 months of supervised release for plotting to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to the Justice Department.
In October 2025, authorities arrested Bernard S. Hershey outside St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., after discovering hundreds of explosive devices and a manifesto indicating he was targeting the Supreme Court, Catholics, and members of the Jewish faith, court documents show.
Nicholas Roske was sentenced to four years in prison in 2023 after traveling from California to Maryland with plans to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home. According to prosecutors, Roske sought to prevent the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts reported that threats against federal judges increased substantially between 2015 and 2022 before leveling off, though security officials caution that reporting methods have evolved over time.
The Bottom Line
Le remains in custody as Capitol Police and federal investigators work to determine his motive and whether he had specific targets in mind. His case will likely proceed through the federal court system given the weapons charge and location near sensitive government buildings.
The incident adds to a series of security concerns at the Supreme Court and surrounding areas over the past several years. The high court's visibility during major decisions, combined with its location adjacent to the Capitol complex, presents ongoing challenges for law enforcement.
What happens next: Investigators are expected to examine Le's electronic devices and travel records to establish whether this was a planned operation or an impulsive act. His brother told the Los Angeles Times that he believed the guillotine served as "a symbol of disapproval," though authorities have not confirmed any ideological motive.