Five men charged with plotting drone and sniper attack on Trumps birthday event

Five men aged 19 to 32 have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder after US authorities say they planned a drone and sniper attack on a cage-fighting event held to mark Donald Trump’s 80th birthday outside the White House on Sunday. The Justice Department announced the indictments on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, alleging the group intended to target “high-profile individuals” at the event, including the president himself.

According to court filings cited by multiple outlets, the suspects allegedly planned to deploy explosive-laden drones and position snipers around the venue in Washington, D.C. The youngest defendant, 19, was turned in by his mother, who contacted police days before the event, authorities said. The FBI said it disrupted the plot before any shots were fired or explosives detonated.

Prosecutors allege the men, whose identities have not been released, conspired to commit an act of terrorism and violate gun laws. The indictment, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, does not specify whether any weapons or explosives were recovered. A spokeswoman for the US Attorney’s Office declined immediate comment.

Coverage across German-language media underscored the international alarm triggered by the alleged plot. ORF reported that Austrian authorities were monitoring the case amid concerns over transatlantic extremist networks. Der Standard noted that the suspects’ ages—spanning from teenager to early thirties—raised questions about radicalisation pathways. Die Zeit highlighted the mother’s role in alerting authorities, describing it as an unusual but decisive intervention.

The event in question was a mixed-martial-arts spectacle billed as a birthday celebration for Trump, who turned 80 on Sunday. The venue, a temporary cage erected near the White House lawn, drew thousands of spectators and live-streamed globally. Tagesspiegel reported that organisers had implemented enhanced security measures after receiving unspecified “threat intelligence,” though it is unclear whether these were linked to the alleged plot.

Hungarian outlet 444.hu quoted officials as saying the suspects had scouted the location and discussed targeting “priority targets,” including the president. Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant framed the case as part of a broader pattern of domestic extremism in the United States, noting that similar plots have surfaced in recent years. Welt.de published video statements from the FBI asserting that the bureau had “prevented a potential mass-casualty attack.”

Legal experts interviewed by FAZ cautioned that the case is at an early stage and that convictions hinge on proving intent and capability. The next hearing is scheduled for 1 July 2026. In the meantime, the Justice Department has requested continued detention for all five men, citing the risk of flight and further conspiracy.