The FBI foiled a planned attack targeting US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday party and a UFC cage fight show at the White House last weekend. They arrested five suspects who allegedly discussed using drones loaded with explosives and shooting into terrified crowds as they fled, according to court papers unsealed Tuesday.Prosecutors alleged that the plot involved hitting the north side of the White House with drones to create panic and lure fleeing crowds toward snipers who planned to open fire on politicians and others.The “second wave” of attackers was then supposed to storm the White House gate.Investigators recovered high-powered firearms from several suspects and reviewed encrypted text messages between nearly 20 participants who shared detailed maps and aerial photos of the area, according to the documents.
The group discussed the need for a “safe house” and ways to escape after the intended attack.
How was the plot revealed?
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI learned of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the UFC cage fight was scheduled to take place. The tip came when Tysen Propper’s mother called local police in Ohio to report concerns about her 19-year-old son’s large firearm purchases and online communications.Slim told investigators he was involved in planning an attack, according to an FBI affidavit.
He said the group began communicating around March through a TikTok group called “Vanguard of the Old,” where members discussed their belief that the United States “needs to be torn down so it can be rebuilt.”Those screened moved on to discussions about encrypted messaging app Signal. The main chat has about 19 people, with smaller side chats based on roles or locations.
Targets included Trump, Vance, Netanyahu, and Musk
Court filings revealed that the group is eyeing potential targets that include Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk, as well as several elected officials, though not all of them attended the event.Prosecutors said group members discussed grievances related to government corruption, the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, data centers and other government actions. Some expressed their desire for “people involved with Jeffrey Epstein not to rule the country.”
Suspects were arrested in four states
Five people were arrested on federal charges across Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California:
- Tysen C. Propper, 19, of Ohio – Charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a crime against the United States and firearms offenses
- Brian Omar Rua, 24, from California – told the FBI he intended to attend as a protester but returned home after his car broke down
- Michael Alan Thomas, 32, from California – considered himself the group’s “planner and advisor” who wanted to instruct others on how to carry out attacks
- Daniel Eskridge, 32, from Missouri – allegedly said the target had to be “big and someone the majority of the country knows”
- Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, from Nebraska – responsible for planning, organizing and directing the planned attack
Vice President J.D. Vance called the planning “not that advanced,” saying on Fox News: “They weren’t in the city.
“They didn’t really do that much planning.”However, Vance also suggested that an underground network may have been involved. He added: “23 people have not reached the point where they are going to commit a mass terrorist incident in Washington, D.C., without some serious funding, without some serious coordination.”When asked about the alleged plot during the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, Trump said: “I haven’t heard about it.”Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn appeared frustrated by the public revelations, saying at a news conference: “Anyone who thinks this case was handled in a bubble is naive. The Secret Service has led this investigation from the beginning. In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation and security plan, we chose not to leak it.”Despite the threat, Sunday’s UFC event went ahead without incident, and was attended by thousands including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and former soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.The seven-fight card culminated with a surprise defeat of previously unbeaten Spaniard Elia Topuria at the hands of American fighter Justin Gaethje. The crowd repeatedly chanted “USA! USA!” When an American faced a foreign opponent.Each suspect faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 if convicted of conspiracy to murder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29.
