Man with bayonet and knives in truck arrested near DNC headquarters

U.S. Capitol Police arrested a California man who had a bayonet and machete in his truck — which was painted with white supremacist symbols, including swastikas — near the Democratic National Committee headquarters early Monday morning.

Donald Craighead, 44, was pulled over by a Capitol Police officer and arrested for possessing prohibited weapons, according to a Capitol Police press release.  

Craighead told police that he was "on patrol" and "began talking about white supremacist ideology and other rhetoric pertaining to white supremacy," according to the release. His truck also lacked a license plate, and in its place bore an image of an American flag.

"This is good police work plain and simple," said Chief Tom Manger. "We applaud the officers' keen observation and the teamwork that resulted in this arrest."

The Capitol Police are continuing to investigate Craighead and said it wasn't yet clear whether he intended to go to any demonstrations — a rally in support of those who participated in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol is expected to take place later this week. Far right extremist groups plan to attend.

Sam Cornale, the executive director of the DNC, said the committee is "thankful for the Capitol police containing this threat," and he added, "This suspect's apparent views are despicable, and violence and white supremacy have no place in our country." Cornale declined to comment further on the investigation.

The Capitol Police suggested that "there is no indication" that the incident was "related to any particular interest in the DNC," according to a source with knowledge of the situation. 

Andres Triay and Adam Brewster contributed to this report.