Police were investigating a report Thursday of a possible explosive device in a pickup truck outside the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill and evacuated the area around the building.two agents told The Associated Press.
The United States Capitol Police reported on Twitter that officers were “Responding to a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress”. The building is close to the Capitol and the Supreme Court. Police have also evacuated the Cannon House office building.
NOW: The USCP is responding to a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress.
Please stay away from this area and follow this account for the latest information. pic.twitter.com/LMBYBTJn4t
– US Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) August 19, 2021
Law enforcement officials said investigators at the scene were working to determine if the device was an operable explosive. And if the man in the truck was holding a detonator. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are currently in recess, but the staff is working in the Capitol complex.
The incident comes months after a homemade bomb was left at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee in Washington a day before thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol in January.
News in development …