The FBI says it has disrupted an alleged attack plan targeting a high-profile UFC event held at the White House and attended by President Donald Trump, with multiple suspects now in custody.
US federal authorities say they have foiled an alleged plot targeting a major UFC event held at the White House over the weekend, an event that was attended by President Donald Trump, senior government officials, and thousands of spectators.
The announcement was made by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said law enforcement agencies became aware of a potential threat several days before the event took place and immediately launched a multi-state operation to stop it.
According to Patel, the FBI learned about the alleged threat on June 10 and worked alongside other agencies to identify and apprehend suspects connected to the case. “Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said in a statement.
The UFC event, known as UFC Freedom 250, was staged on the South Lawn of the White House as part of celebrations connected to America’s 250th anniversary. President Trump attended the event, which also coincided with his 80th birthday celebrations.
Authorities have not yet released full details about the suspects or the exact nature of the alleged threat. However, reports citing law enforcement sources claim the plan involved using explosive-laden drones near the event venue. Investigators believe the attackers intended to create panic among attendees before carrying out additional stages of the attack.
Fox News Digital reported that five individuals are currently in custody, while investigators have identified a wider network of up to 23 people believed to be connected to the alleged scheme. Several reports indicate the investigation stretched across multiple states, with arrests and law enforcement actions taking place in locations including Ohio, Missouri, and California.
Vice President JD Vance described the alleged operation as a highly coordinated plan rather than the actions of a few isolated individuals. “Twenty-three people do not get to the point where they’re going to commit a mass terror incident in Washington, D.C. without some serious funding, without some serious coordination,” Vance said during a television interview. “That’s not a few guys doing crazy stuff, that is a coordinated planned terrorist plot.”
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President Trump, who was attending the G7 summit in France when news of the alleged plot became public, told reporters he had not been briefed on the matter before being asked about it.
The event itself went ahead without disruption and attracted thousands of spectators. Security around the White House had already been significantly increased due to the size of the gathering and the presence of senior government officials.
The alleged plot has once again raised concerns about security threats surrounding high-profile political and public events in the United States. Law enforcement officials say investigations are continuing and additional details are expected to emerge once court documents and criminal charges are formally unsealed.
For now, authorities are focusing on determining whether the suspects were connected to a broader network and how far preparations for the alleged attack had progressed before the FBI intervened. The case is likely to receive significant attention in the coming days as prosecutors reveal more information about the suspects, their motivations, and the evidence gathered during the investigation.
While many questions remain unanswered, federal authorities insist that the swift response by law enforcement prevented what could have become a major security incident at one of the most closely watched events held at the White House in recent years.
