FBI Arrests 5 Over Trump Birthday Plot
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US Department of Justice has charged at least five individuals following an alleged conspiracy to attack a high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held at the White House.
Court records unsealed on Tuesday reveal that the FBI discovered the plot on 10 June, just four days before the mixed martial arts matches took place on the South Lawn to celebrate President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the success of the multi-state operation on X, writing, “And thanks to the rapid action of the 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 investigation was triggered when the mother of one suspect, Tycen P, 19, alerted local police regarding his firearms purchases and online activities. According to FBI affidavits, the group had procured weaponry and drafted intricate plans for the assault.
Law enforcement officers have conducted arrests in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California as the investigation continues.
Authorities allege that Tycen P coordinated with others to deploy explosives-laden drones and shoot at spectators as they fled the White House. The conspirators utilised the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss logistics within a primary group of “around 19 individuals,” as well as smaller private chats.
Following his arrest, Tycen P reportedly identified the usernames of other participants in these encrypted discussions.
The group’s motivations appeared varied, ranging from anti-government sentiment and outrage over the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files to conspiracy theories regarding a powerful elite.
Messages retrieved from Tycen P’s phone further indicated antisemitic grievances and specific threats against several Republican lawmakers he identified as being “pro-Israel”.
Trump, attending the Group of Seven summit in France, stated he had not received a briefing regarding the alleged threat. When questioned by reporters about the plot, he remarked, “The attack I watched were the fighters.”
Source: AFP (adapted)
