Five people have been arrested after the FBI thwarted a planned drone attack involving explosives and snipers at the White House.
The foiled 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 the White House gates.
Three of the people arrested have now been identified. Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas were arrested in California, charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and Tycen Proper was arrested in Ohio.
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’.
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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.’
Trump’s 80th birthday saw a giant UFC ring erected outside the White House for an event attended by celebrities galore.