On Sunday, a celebration of America's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday took place on the South Lawn of the White House: an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event. But what the 4,300 guests didn't know was that the FBI had already arrested multiple suspects for allegedly planning a devastating attack involving explosive-laden drones and snipers.
The FBI thwarted a plot targeting the UFC event on the South Lawn, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel said in a social media post that "allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold" after a "multi-state operation" led to multiple suspects being taken into custody. Five people were in custody as of Monday, and investigators identified 23 people who are part of a potential network of plotters, officials told Fox News Digital. The suspects were from Ohio, Missouri and California, sources told the Associated Press.
“Explains the FBI-thwarted plot to attack the White House UFC event using drones and snipers.”
The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to strike buildings near the event. The explosions would then prompt a mass evacuation and force fleeing crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team, two sources told CBS News. A "second wave" of attackers would have then allegedly attempted to storm the White House gate. The FBI learned of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the event. Investigators obtained access to Signal chats in which at least 23 people allegedly discussed the planned attack. Some of those involved allegedly had plans to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack.
This attempt comes about two months after a shooting at the White House Correspondents dinner, where Trump was in attendance, and one month after a man was killed by Secret Service agents after opening fire at a White House checkpoint. The event itself, the UFC Freedom 250 extravaganza, was held on the South Lawn with an estimated 4,300 invite-only guests and a nearby fan zone where another 85,000 people watched. Security measures included rooftop shooters, K9 dogs, explosive detectors, and surveillance cameras.
For UK readers, this story highlights the evolving nature of security threats at high-profile events. Drones equipped with explosives represent a relatively new and difficult-to-counter danger. The use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal to coordinate attacks also shows how technology enables sophisticated plots. The UK regularly hosts major events—from royal ceremonies to sports matches—and security services here face similar challenges. The thwarted plot also underscores the importance of international intelligence sharing; the UK's ambassador to the US, Sir Christian Turner, was among the attendees at the UFC event.
Q: How did the FBI discover the plot? The FBI learned of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the event, and secured probable cause to arrest one suspect in Cincinnati. Investigators also uncovered Signal chats in which at least 23 people were allegedly discussing their planned attack.
Q: Who were the targets of the alleged attack? One suspect apparently claimed the goal was to target "capitalist elites," "billionaires," or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The event included President Trump, cabinet members, top administration officials, Republican lawmakers, and celebrities.
Q: What charges do the suspects face? Additional details, including the charges, were expected to be released later Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The FBI has not yet publicly disclosed the specific charges.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation remains ongoing and that more details will be made available in court filings. The Secret Service worked closely with the FBI throughout the investigation. The event itself went ahead as planned, with Justin Gaethje victorious over Ilia Topuria in a main fight, and no security incidents were reported.