The FBI managed to thwart a planned drone attack, which would have used explosives, snipers, and involved storming the White House.
The planned attack would have taken place during Donald Trump’s 80th birthday UFC fight, which unfolded without a hitch this weekend.
The terror attack planned to use explosive drones to 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 the White House gates.
Five people have since been arrested in relation to the plot in Cincinnati, Ohio, Fredericksburg, Virginia, and other areas.
The plot was uncovered when officials found a Signal group chat discussing the potential terror attack, which was formed to target ‘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 fighter.
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 No. 1 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 included a giant UFC ring erected outside the White House and 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 Donald Trump for Prime Minister baseball hat.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg was also spotted speaking to the president during a break in the action.
Others with cage-side seats were FBI director Kash 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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