FBI unfolds plot to attack President Trump's UFC birthday celebrations

Law enforcement unfoils a planned attack targeting President Donald Trump's

UFC cage-fighting show at the White House hosted this past weekend. The plot included flying explosives-laden drones and shooting attendees of the event. US Vice President JD Vance says the suspects were nowhere near actually carrying out the attacks.

Court papers unsealed Tuesday detail a plan to target President Donald Trump's UFC cage fights at the White House staged to celebrate his 80th birthday. Plotters who harboured fringe conspiracy theories spoke of flying explosives-laden drones and shooting attendees.

Investigators have recovered high-powered firearms from several of the suspects and reviewed encrypted text messages between roughly 20 participants who shared detailed maps and aerial photographs of the area.

The group of suspects also discussed the need for a "safe house" and escape routes after the intended attack, the documents show. But it's unclear from court records how close the would-be attackers could have come to being able to carry out the plan.

And though the participants spoke of using drones rigged with explosives, charging documents suggest they were still looking to acquire such equipment when the plot was interrupted.

In an interview with Fox News, Vice President JD Vance says the attacker did not come close to carry out the plans. Still, he calls the incident a "terrorist plot" that involved "serious coordination."

Law enforcement officials learned about the possible threat four days before the mixed martial arts extravaganza on the White House's South Lawn.

FBI Director Kash Patel says in a social media post the multi-state operation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Department of Justice, and that the "allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold."

Trump, who's in France attending the G7 summit, says he has not been briefed on the plot.