Man Rams Car into FBI Gate Covered in American Flag, Claims It Was a Statement

Thu Sep 18 2025 15:57:00 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A man identifies as Donald Phillip Henson crashed into the FBI's Pittsburgh office, leaving authorities puzzled over his motives and obsession with tyrants. He was later apprehended after several hours of evasion.

In a bizarre incident in Pittsburgh, 46-year-old Donald Phillip Henson drove a car into an FBI security gate while draped in an American flag, stating his actions were to 'make a statement.' Captured later, Henson invoked a historical phrase associated with anti-tyranny after his dramatic stunt. The FBI reported no injuries, while Henson faces serious charges.

PITTSBURGH (FluxDaily) — A man who rammed his vehicle into an FBI security gate in Pittsburgh while draped in an American flag proclaimed he acted to 'make a statement,' according to FBI sources.

Donald Phillip Henson, age 46, was apprehended seven hours following the incident where he uttered the phrase 'sic semper tyrannis' — translated to 'thus always to tyrants' — as he spoke to agents. Notably, this phrase was reportedly shouted by John Wilkes Booth after assassinating President Lincoln.

Facing charges for assault with a deadly weapon and damage to government property, Henson is expected to remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Christopher Giordano, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, noted that the incident was characterized as a targeted attack but confirmed there were no injuries to FBI personnel.

Details regarding Henson's motivations and how he managed to escape after the crash remain unclear. The FBI is familiar with him, as Giordano referred to him as a former military member. Records indicate Henson is a registered Republican who participated in the 2024 elections. A message left for him went unanswered, and no legal representation has been confirmed.

Earlier, Henson had visited the FBI office to make what Giordano described as a somewhat incoherent complaint. Observations from the incident revealed the vehicle bore a message on one of its windows and had a U.S. Air Force sticker affixed.

Authorities, including a bomb squad, found no explosives associated with the car. Eyewitness accounts highlighted a security officer's initial belief that Henson was suffering a medical emergency; however, as he exited to investigate, Henson returned for the American flag, prompting the officer to remain cautious inside the booth.

In the past year, Henson indicated in a bankruptcy filing that he was burdened with $380,000 in student loan debt, limited assets, and a dormant business venture termed Insomnia Solutions, alongside meager monthly income of $281.