The FBI managed to thwart a planned drone attack, which would have used explosives and snipers and involved storming the White House.
The planned attack would have taken place during the celebratory UFC fight on Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, which took place without a hitch on Sunday night.
The attack would have seen explosive drones hit buildings in the area before fleeing crowds were killed by snipers, Fox reported.
After that, a ‘second wave’ of attackers would have run to storm
Five people in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fredericksburg, Virginia, and other areas, have since been arrested in relation to the plot.
The plan was foiled after officials found a Signal group chat discussing the potential terror attack, aimed at targeting ‘billionaires’ and ‘politicians who received money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’.
FBI Director Kash Patel said: ‘Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold.’
The president was surrounded by cabinet leaders, top administration officials, Republican lawmakers and 4,000-plus screaming spectators during the UFC fight.
Security measures around the event were immense – rooftop shooters, K9 dogs, explosive detectors, and surveillance cameras were equipped to help protect attendees.
Ahead of the event, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said: ‘President Trump’s number one priority is the safety and security of anyone who is participating or attending the many events honouring the nation during our historical semiquincentennial celebrations.’
What happened at Trump’s UFC event?
Trump’s 80th birthday saw a giant UFC ring erected outside the White House for an event attended by celebrities galore.
The president and UFC chief Dana White walked together from the Oval Office to the White House balcony overlooking the giant open-sided arena, nicknamed ‘The Claw’, on the South Lawn.
The national anthem was then played as a formation of fighter jets streaked overhead, sparking a cheer from the crowd and chants of ‘USA, USA’.
Among the 4,000 guests in the custom-built venue was British heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury, wearing a baseball hat that read: ‘Donald Trump for Prime Minister.’
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg was also spotted speaking to the president during a break.
Others with cage-side seats were FBI director Patel, acting US attorney general Todd Blanche and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.
Sir Christian Turner, the UK’s ambassador to the US, posted an image of himself in attendance at the event on X, along with the caption: ‘Celebrating US250 the American way.’
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