Man carrying weapons and protest manifesto against Gaza war tried to enter U.S. Capitol on Election Day

(TJV) On Election Day, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a Michigan man, 28-year-old Austin M. Olson from Westland, for carrying a flare gun, torch lighter, two fuel bottles, and a manifesto at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Olson, who was reportedly dissatisfied with the U.S. government’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, disorderly conduct, and other offenses. Authorities noted he smelled as if he had doused his clothing in fuel.

Along with the items, Olson brought a letter addressed to Congress, expressing his views on the Middle East conflict. Police reported that his statements indicated he was protesting the Gaza war and U.S.-Israel relations. According to officials, Olson’s actions suggested he might have been considering self-immolation, a form of protest that has been used at least three times in the U.S. this year by individuals in opposition to the Gaza war. Earlier cases include a U.S. airman who died after self-immolating outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., and other incidents in Atlanta and Boston.

Reports also indicated that Olson had a history of posting political videos on YouTube and the platform Rumble, where he expressed a desire for martyrdom, writing, “If my persecution and death means the truth lives, I’ll pick up my cross.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) observed that Olson expressed antisemitic and anti-Israel views, claiming elected leaders prioritize Israeli interests over American ones. The ADL also noted that his social media posts contained far-right and antisemitic rhetoric, including the “Great Replacement Theory.”

Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Capitol Police stated that while Olson’s focus seemed to be the conflict in Gaza, there was no evidence linking his actions to the day’s elections.