White House placed on brief lockdown after suspicious package found on campus

The United States President's residential place and office White House was put under lockdown for a brief period on Tuesday night (IST) after a suspicious package was spotted. The Secret Service cleared the package within 30 mins. 

Meanwhile, reporters were urged to wait in the James S Brady briefing room while the security threat was investigated, local media said. 

President Trump was not in the building having just left Washington for a rally in Arizona Tuesday night.

UPDATES 

#11:44 PM:

@SecretService and @DCPoliceDept have cleared the unattended package near the north fence line of the @WhiteHouse Complex

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 22, 2017

#11:24 PM: Fox News reporter Chad Pergram tweeted that a man has been arrested for "unlawful entry" on the steps of the Capitol. At this time it is unclear if the man under arrest is the suspect connected to the suspicious package.

@SecretService & @DCPoliceDept responding to an unattended package near the North Fence of the @WhiteHouse Complex.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 22, 2017

Pedestrian traffic along Penn Ave between 15th & 17th and the area of LaFayette Park is restricted due to law enforcement activity.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 22, 2017

#11:22 PM:

US Secret Service & DC Police Dept responding to an unattended package near North Fence of White House Complex: US Secret Service

All press cleared off White House North Lawn positions. Secret Service telling reporters & construction crews to go inside immediately.

— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 22, 2017