The FBI has disrupted a sophisticated plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a planned UFC event at the White House. Sources familiar with the operation say the scheme involved armed drones programmed to target Trump as he addressed supporters.
The plot, which was in its final stages, was uncovered by a joint task force of FBI counter-terrorism agents and Secret Service intelligence analysts. Two suspects, both US citizens, were arrested in a pre-dawn raid in Virginia. A third person is being sought.
The drones, described as commercial quadcopters modified to carry small-calibre firearms, were intended to be flown into the secure perimeter of the White House during the event. The idea was to fire a volley of shots from close range before the drones were shot down. It was a plan designed to create chaos and exploit the inevitable confusion.
Word of the plot has sent shockwaves through Washington. The event, which was set to be a glitzy mixed martial arts exhibition, has been cancelled amid a flurry of security briefings. The White House is now on a heightened state of alert.
Trump, who was informed of the threat late last night, is said to be 'furious' and demanding answers. His campaign team is already using the foiled attack to rally his base, painting it as evidence that the 'deep state' and political enemies are out to get him. Expect the rhetoric to intensify.
This is a major intelligence win for the FBI, but it raises troubling questions about the vulnerability of high-profile events to new technologies. The use of armed drones for assassination attempts has long been a fear of security services. This plot shows it is no longer theoretical.
Inside the Beltway, the reaction is a mix of relief and apprehension. Republicans are quietly worried that this will give Trump a martyr-like boost. Democrats are anxious about the security implications and the potential for further violence. The game has shifted.
The investigation is ongoing. Expect more arrests. And expect this story to dominate the news cycle for days.
