An intruder has been arrested after entering the White House grounds, the US secret service has said.
The interloper entered the property on Friday night and was arrested at around 11.38pm near the south entrance to the residence wing — where President Donald Trump and his guests often stay.
The male trespasser was carrying a backpack and scaled a fence to get into the White House grounds, according to reports.
The intruder told a security officer: "I am a friend of the president. I have an appointment", according to CNN journalist Dianne Gallagher.
Officials said the individual, who was not identified, was arrested without further incident.
Mr Trump, who was in the residence at the time, was not in any danger from the security breach, which occurred around midnight, CNN reported.
After the incident, the President said the intruder was a "troubled person" and praised the secret service, saying it had done a "fantastic job" in apprehending the individual.
No hazardous materials were found during a search of the intruder's backpack.
A search of the south and north grounds of the White House complex found "nothing of concern to security operations".
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly was briefed on the incident.
The secret service did not provide an update on the individual's status. Standard practice is to hand intruders over to the local police department.
