A woman arrested at an inauguration checkpoint in Washington, D.C., claimed to be part of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to get through police barricades, the Capitol Police said in a press release.
The woman, 63-year-old Linda Magovern of Connecticut, told officers she was “part of the presidential cabinet” and flashed a military police challenge coin as credentials.
"As the USCP officers questioned the Suspect, she drove off in the vehicle, and again was stopped at 50 Massachusetts Avenue," USCP said in a press release.
She was arrested for impersonating an officer and failing to obey and fleeing from law enforcement.
Downtown Washington, D.C., is basically locked down as the city braces for planned protests and possible clashes Wednesday when Joe Biden is scheduled to be sworn in as the next president. As many as 25,000 National Guard troops are expected to be in the city by Inauguration Day.
Police earlier Sunday arrested a 22-year-old Virginia man carrying a firearm, three high-capacity magazines and 37 rounds of unregistered ammunition near Capitol Hill.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Guy Berry was walking about a block away from Columbus Circle with a Glock 22 "clearly visible in a holster."
He was not allowed to carry the handgun in the District.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.