A man carrying a bag with a machete and three knives was arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

The Capitol Police said the man, 44-year-old Mel J. Horne of Washington, D.C., went through security screening at the Capitol Visitor Center just after 2 p.m., and the officers running the x-ray machine spotted the machete in his bag and arrested him.

Police also found three knives in the bag. 

Mr. Horne was arrested on multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.

“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in a statement. “It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe.”

Police did not release any details on why the man had the weapons but said investigators would interview him to determine his motive. 

“At this time there is no on-going threat towards the Congress, the U.S. Capitol, or the public,” Capitol Police said.

The arrest occurred hours before President-elect Donald Trump was set to visit Capitol Hill to pay his respects to former President Jimmy Carter, whose body is lying in state in the Capitol rotunda, and to meet with Senate Republicans. 

• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.