Indian American sentenced for nazi-inspired White House attack attempt

A US district court sentenced 20-year-old Indian American Sai Varshith Kandula to eight years in prison on Friday for crashing his rented truck into White House barricades on May 22, 2023, in a bizarre Nazi-inspired plot to overthrow the US government and establish a dictatorship with himself in charge, reported TOI.

According to the report, Kandula, who pleaded guilty to "wilful injury and depredation of property of the US," was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

Kandula, a high school graduate with roots in Hyderabad's Chandanagar and currently living in St. Louis, Missouri, had planned the attack for weeks.


He even confessed to investigators about his intention to assassinate the US President and other officials to achieve his goal of political power, noted the TOI report.

On the day of the incident, Kandula flew from St. Louis to Washington, DC, rented a truck, and headed towards the White House, said the report. After striking the barriers, he exited the truck, waved a Nazi flag, and was apprehended by US Park police and Secret Service officers. The damages caused by his actions were valued at $4,322 (approximately Rs 3.7 lakh).

Court documents revealed that Kandula had previously tried to secure armed security guards and a larger vehicle for the attack, including attempting to hire 25 armed guards and rent a commercial truck. His disturbing actions were designed to intimidate and influence the US government.