The FBI uncovered a conspiracy to use drones against the martial arts event outside the White House on Saturday, where 4,300 people had gathered. Bombs were to create panic in the crowd, which would then run in one direction. There, sharpshooters were positioned and ready to pick them off. Amid the chaos, a group of armed individuals was to storm the White House.

Five people were arrested on Monday, but 23 have been identified. The FBI only became aware of the plans as late as 10 June.

Drones constitute an important part of the contemporary terrorism threat picture.

Investigators later uncovered Signal chats in which multiple individuals allegedly discussed an attack on the UFC event. An initial review of one suspect’s iPhone revealed at least 23 Signal users discussing preparations for the operation, authorities said.

Some of those involved allegedly planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on 12 or 13 June to prepare the attack.

One suspect allegedly told investigators that the objective was to target “capitalist elites”, “billionaires”, or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

The investigation extended across at least 12 FBI field offices.

The plot to storm the White House is depicted in the 2024 film Civil War, in which militias on the Democrats’ side storm the White House in order to kill the President. It is unthinkable that Republicans could have produced a film in which they fantasised about killing, for example, Obama.

But with Trump, anything is permitted. They have tried at least three times.