A 44-year-old man apprehended for attempting to bring a machete and other knives into the U.S. Capitol Building on the day former President Trump visited to honor the late President Carter has seemingly made several anti-Trump social media posts. Mel J. Horne faces charges related to carrying a dangerous weapon after allegedly trying to enter the Capitol Visitor Center with a machete, two folding knives, and a box cutter, as per court records. Surprisingly, he was released just days prior to Inauguration Day.

A social media account bearing his name and linked to a phone number matching court documents reveals several recent anti-Trump messages. The account labeled both the former president and Elon Musk derogatory terms in response to a Trump parody account's question about Musk. Another post on New Year's Eve claimed both men "act as consistent enemies of the state." On December 9th, the account simply posted "F--- them!"

Earlier that day, the account, while still referring to Trump as an "enemy," shared a message of prayer for the then-president-elect's health, well-being, and spiritual guidance. In a separate post responding to a tweet about the Capitol police officer involved in the Ashli Babbitt shooting, the account called for Trump's prosecution, claiming he "sent that girl to die."

Horne's mother had previously filed a complaint alleging her son's drug use and psychosis, requesting his removal from her home and mandatory mental health treatment. Other online posts attributed to Horne contained strong language directed at figures like Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., JD Vance, and Daniel Penny.

Capitol Police declined to comment on the online posts, citing an ongoing investigation. Horne reportedly told officers the blades were landscaping tools, despite over six inches of snow on the ground and a declared snow emergency. He claimed to be homeless and said he carries these items everywhere. Trump attended the Carter memorial on the same day Horne allegedly attempted to enter with the weapons.

A D.C. Superior Court judge granted Horne conditional release pending trial, although the specifics remain undisclosed. Another individual, Adrian Hinton, was arrested the same day for allegedly trying to set a vehicle on fire near the Grant Memorial. Horne's arrest report lists him as a prior felon, but details of his past conviction are unclear. He was jailed in 2019, but records related to that case were not released. Court records do indicate misdemeanor charges from 2004.

In her complaint, Horne's mother requested his removal from her property and a court order for mental health treatment. The case was eventually dismissed, and Horne agreed to a year-long stay-away order from his parents' residence, with the exception of caring for his bonsai trees outside the home.