President Trump praised U.K. authorities after five men were detained on suspicion of planning an attack near RAF Fairford, a U.K.-owned, U.S.-operated air base in Gloucestershire. Police say the arrests followed a report of three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base; the detainees' nationalities have not been released. Local officials thanked emergency services and urged the public not to speculate while investigations continue. Authorities said precautionary checks and cooperative U.K.-U.S. inquiries are ongoing.
Trump Praises U.K. After Five Detained Near RAF Fairford on Suspicion of Plotting Attack
President Donald Trump on Sunday praised U.K. law enforcement after five men were arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire air base owned by the U.K. and operated by U.S. forces.
"The arrest in the U.K. was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job," Trump told reporters in Chicago, according to NewsNation's Libbey Dean. He added that federal authorities were investigating the suspects, whom he said had been "looking to do big damage to our fort." "We had them under view for a long time and we got 'em," he said.
London's Metropolitan Police said the five men were detained Sunday on suspicion of planning an attack at RAF Fairford, the Associated Press reported. Police said they had been alerted early that morning about three suspicious vehicles travelling toward the base.
RAF Fairford is a U.K.-owned base that hosts U.S. military operations. Media reports and official statements have previously noted the base has been used for U.S. operations in the region, including actions related to strikes against Iranian missile sites, though details and operational authorities are handled by the U.S. and U.K. governments.
Authorities have not released the nationalities of the detained men or provided additional details about any planned target or motive. Police and counterterrorism units in Gloucestershire and across the U.K. said they were continuing precautionary checks in the area.
Andy Burnham — who posted on X following the incident — thanked Gloucestershire Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, the U.K. armed forces and "all those working to keep the public safe." "I am especially grateful to those residents who have been asked to leave their homes while precautionary checks are carried out," he wrote, urging the public not to speculate while investigators establish the facts.
Local authorities said residents near the base were temporarily asked to evacuate while checks were completed. U.K. and U.S. agencies are cooperating on the investigation, and police cautioned that inquiries are ongoing.
Sources: Statements from Metropolitan Police; NewsNation reporting; Associated Press coverage.
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