Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about a guy who decided to drive all the way from California to Washington, D.C. with a guillotine in the back of his pickup truck. Because, you know, that’s not a red flag at all. Philan-Tam-Duy Le, a 35-year-old from Julian, California, was arrested by the US Capitol Police for carrying a dangerous weapon. I mean, who doesn’t love a good road trip with a guillotine in tow? The police spotted the truck, which was illegally parked near the Supreme Court, and that’s when things got interesting.
I’m trying to imagine the conversation Le had with himself when he decided to pack the guillotine for the trip. “You know what would be a great idea? If I brought a giant blade to the nation’s capital!” The Capitol Police shared photos of the guillotine, and let me tell you, it’s a massive thing. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that’s not something you can just pick up at your local hardware store.
Lawmakers were not at the Capitol when Le was arrested, since Congress is in recess. But the arrest comes amid concerns about rising threats of violence against members of Congress and the US government. In 2025, Capitol Police responded to nearly 15,000 “concerning statements, behaviors, and communications” directed against members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex. That’s a 57% increase from 2024, which is just crazy.
The police are still trying to figure out what motivated Le to drive all the way to D.C. with a guillotine. His brother, Kelvin Le, told the Los Angeles Times that the guillotine was a “symbol of disapproval” and that Le was unhappy with both Democrats and Republicans. I guess that’s one way to express your dissatisfaction with the government. Kelvin Le also said that he doesn’t think his brother would hurt anyone, which is reassuring, I suppose.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time someone has been arrested at the Capitol with a prohibited item. Last month, a man was arrested for having a handgun at the north barricade of the Capitol. I’m starting to think that maybe we need to add “no guillotines” to the list of prohibited items, just to be safe.
In conclusion, the story of Philan-Tam-Duy Le and his trusty guillotine is a wild one. It’s a reminder that, no matter how crazy things seem, there’s always someone out there who’s willing to take it to the next level. So, the next time you’re thinking of expressing your dissatisfaction with the government, maybe just stick to voting or writing a letter to your representative. Leave the guillotines at home, folks. And remember, if you’re going to drive across the country with a giant blade, at least make sure you’re parked in a legal spot.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
