A man was arrested late Friday after entering the White House grounds, the Secret Service said Saturday.

The unidentified man was caught near the south entrance of the Presidential residence, it is understood that U.S. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time.

"I am a friend of the president, I have an appointment and I jumped the fence," the suspect was quoted by a Secret Service report as saying.

The person, who has no criminal history and no previous history involving the Secret Service, was reportedly carrying a backpack but no hazardous items.

 source: Xinhua