Indian National Sentenced to Eight Years for White House Attack Attempt
Sai Varshith Kandula, a 20-year-old Indian national, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to attack the White House with a rented truck on May 22, 2023. The Department of Justice reported that Kandula's goal was to overthrow the U.S. government and install a dictatorship influenced by Nazi ideology.
Kandula, who was residing legally in the U.S. as a permanent resident, pleaded guilty in May 2024 to willful injury to U.S. property. District Court Judge Dabney L Friedrich also mandated three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Court documents reveal that Kandula flew from St Louis, Missouri, to Washington, D.C., rented a truck, and drove to the White House, where he crashed into security barriers, causing approximately $4,322 in damage. After the impact, he exited the vehicle carrying a flag adorned with a Nazi swastika, which he brandished before being arrested by law enforcement officers at the scene.
The case highlights how Kandula spent weeks planning the attack. He made prior attempts to hire armed guards and secure larger vehicles for the assault, signaling a calculated effort to enact his violent political goals.
Weekly Newsletter
News summary by melangenews