The White House was put on lockdown after a small aircraft violated the restricted airspace in Washington DC. Fighter jets were scrambled for an interception.
An unauthorized aircraft had entered the airspace near the White House. Communication with the plane was impossible, forcing the residence of President Donald Trump and the Capitol to be put in a state of emergency. On Twitter, journalists reported taking shelter inside the briefing room of the White House. The surrounding areas were evacuated.
White House totally on lockdown. All press being sheltered in place inside briefing room. Similar reported response at the a U.S. Capitol + congressional office buildings pic.twitter.com/9GlXpH1qLq
— j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) November 26, 2019
Thirty minutes later, the lockdown was lifted, after it was determined that the small plane was not hostile, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Senior interagency officials are monitoring the situation on a national event conference call. Our jet fighters are on site and responding. Plane is not considered hostile at this time.
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) November 26, 2019
The NORAD is a bi-national organization in charge of defending the airspaces of the United States of America and Canada. It is in charge of Operation Noble Eagle which has been established in the wake of September 11, 2001, and has conducted about 1,900 interceptions since then.
