Missouri Man Behind Nazi-Inspired White House Attack Agrees to Plead Guilty

A 20-year-old man named Sai Varshith Kandula agreed to plead guilty on May 22, 2023, for crashing a box truck into White House security barriers. This resulted in more than $4,300 in damage to National Park Service property. Mr. Kandula, a lawful permanent resident from India, potentially faces up to 10 years in prison for this offense.

Mr. Kandula had been plotting the attack for weeks, with the intention of seizing political power once inside the White House and establishing a Nazi-inspired dictatorship. In his statement, he claimed that he would become the dictator and was prepared to resort to violence, even threatening to "kill the president if that’s what I have to do, and would hurt anyone that would stand in the way."

On the day of the incident, Mr. Kandula flew from St. Louis to Washington Dulles International Airport and rented a box truck. At approximately 9:30 p.m., he drove the truck into metal bollards near Lafayette Square, causing pedestrians nearby to flee. He then reversed the truck and drove into the barriers for a second time, causing significant damage.

What are the legal consequences?

Mr. Kandula's decision to plead guilty acknowledges the severity of his actions and the resulting property damage. It is a reminder of the potential ramifications for individuals engaging in violent or destructive behavior near government buildings.