The Secret Service announced on Wednesday that a man had set himself on fire near the White House in the afternoon.
“At approximately 12:20 p.m. a man lit himself on fire on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution Ave.,” the Secret Service tweeted. “Secret Service personnel are on scene assisting @NatlParkService and @usparkpolicepio in rendering first aid.”
At approximately 12:20 p.m. a man lit himself on fire on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution Ave., Secret Service personnel are on scene assisting @NatlParkService and @usparkpolicepio in rendering first aid.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 29, 2019
Officials told the New York Times on Tuesday evening that they still didn’t know who the man was or why he did it. He is reportedly being held in the hospital in critical condition.
CNBC published a video by someone who witnessed the incident (warning: graphic content).
I have a recollection of this happening during Vietnam and at other times. Buddihist Monk maybe or a veteran protesting? In any case this is horrible for all who witnessed doused the flames. I hope the man is at peace.
Secret Service: Man Set Himself On Fire Near White House
Norman Morrison…a Quaker anti-war demonstrator…took his own life (in D.C.) in this fashion to protest our efforts in Vietnam. And of course, the Buddhists like Quang Duc did this to protest the Diem regime in Saigon.
Wonder if this guy is a modern day would-be Norman Morrison.
Uh oh…did we lose one of TPM’s gadflies today?
Sometimes snark is wholly inappropriate. I guess I don’t find anything funny about this.