Martial arts event in Washington
Trump’s birthday attack plans: eight men charged
Updated July 10, 2026 – 12:56 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Investigators are convinced that the martial arts event celebrating the US President’s 80th birthday could have ended in a devastating attack. Meanwhile, the group of accused is getting bigger and bigger.
Because of a suspected planned attack on a martial arts event on the US President’s birthday Donald Trump eight men have been charged. A grand jury in Columbus charged them with conspiracy to support terrorists, murder on government territory and murder a member of the government, the Justice Department said. This means the men face a life sentence in prison.
According to the Justice Department, the suspects wanted to use drones loaded with explosives around the martial arts event to force an evacuation of the event. Snipers should then target “high-ranking targets” in the fleeing crowd.
Another arrest in West Virginia
Investigators had previously reported seven arrests, and another one was made this week in the state of West Virginia. The 21-year-old was therefore intended to be a sniper.
On Trump’s 80th birthday, June 14th, cage fights by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) professional league took place in a specially built arena in front of the White House. Trump is considered a fan of mixed martial arts – an often bloody combat sport that combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, karate and jiu-jitsu, among others. In addition to the president and his family, several cabinet members were also among the guests.
The official reason for the event was not Trump’s birthday, but rather the celebrations surrounding the 250th Independence Day USA. However, this is dated July 4th.
