Indian-origin man sentenced to 8 years over White House attack plot

Sai Varisht Kundola drove a truck to the White House, crashing into security barriers around President’s Park.

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Sai Varisht Kundola, an Indian-origin man who rammed a truck into White House security barriers, has been sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The attack was part of a failed plot to overthrow the US government and establish a Nazi-inspired dictatorship, according to the US Department of Justice.

Prosecutors revealed that Kundola, who had been planning the attack for weeks, was motivated by a fascination with Nazi ideology. He sought to "eliminate the democratic process" and replace the US government with a totalitarian regime.

Court documents further disclosed that Kundola tried multiple times to secure vehicles and armed guards before ultimately renting a truck in Washington, DC.

On May 22, 2023, Kundola drove the truck to the White House, crashing into security barriers around President’s Park. After briefly reversing, he attempted to breach the barriers again, causing panic among pedestrians.

The truck caught fire, and Kundola was seen waving a flag featuring a Nazi swastika before being apprehended by US Park Police and Secret Service officers.

During the investigation, Kundola admitted to intentionally damaging US government property and expressed that he would have been willing to kill President Biden or other officials if necessary to achieve his goal.

Kundola, a legal permanent resident in the US born in Chandernagore, India, pleaded guilty to charges of property damage.

His defense attorney, Scott Rosenblum, argued that Kundola was suffering from schizophrenia and delusional thoughts, including a belief in a “reptilian race” controlling the US government.

Despite this, prosecutors recommended the eight-year prison term, citing the significant national security threat posed by his actions. In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Dabney Friedrich ordered Kundola to pay nearly $57,000 in restitution.