Plot to attack Donald Trump's 80th birthday celebration at White House foiled

U.S. authorities have foiled an alleged plot to attack Donald Trump's 80th birthday celebration at the White House, which was scheduled to feature a mixed martial arts (MMA) show. The Justice Department announced the arrest and indictment of five men, aged 19 to 32, across Ohio, California, Missouri, and Nebraska last week.

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The FBI, our law enforcement partners, and our prosecutors did what they do every day to make America safe by reacting quickly and vigilantly, investigating the alleged plot and thwarting it before it could be executed.

According to prosecutors, the suspects intended to launch explosive-laden drones near the MMA event's venue. The goal was to trigger an evacuation, allowing hidden snipers to target high-profile officials attending the celebration. The swift actions of the FBI, police, and prosecutors prevented the alleged attack from being carried out.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "The FBI, our law enforcement partners, and our prosecutors did what they do every day to make America safe by reacting quickly and vigilantly, investigating the alleged plot and thwarting it before it could be executed." The FBI was alerted on June 11 by local police in Knox County, Ohio, after a 19-year-old suspect's parents reported his suspicious behavior to authorities. Interrogations of the young man and the discovery of weapons and communications with alleged accomplices revealed the plot.

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Protecting the President of the United States and the White House is the number one priority of the Secret Service.

Donald Trump, who was in France for the G7 summit and has reportedly been the target of at least three assassination attempts in recent years, said he was unaware of the specific threat. A White House spokesperson stated, "President Trump and the entire administration are grateful to the FBI, the Secret Service, and all the heroic law enforcement members who work tirelessly to keep us safe." The Secret Service director noted a "dramatic increase in threats" against high-profile figures, emphasizing the agency's top priority is protecting the president and the White House.

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President Trump and the entire administration are grateful to the FBI, the Secret Service, and all the heroic law enforcement members who work tirelessly to keep us safe.