Key facts
- The FBI thwarted a plot involving explosive-laden drones targeting a UFC event on the White House lawn.
- Five individuals were arrested in Ohio, Missouri, and California.
- The FBI learned of the threat on June 10, four days before the event.
- The alleged plot involved explosive-laden drones and a second wave to storm the White House gate.
- The investigation spanned multiple states and involved at least 12 FBI field offices.
Federal authorities stopped a potential attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House lawn, with a multi-state law enforcement operation leading to multiple arrests, FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday.
The FBI and law enforcement first became aware of the possible threat on June 10 through Signal chats, just days before the UFC event on Sunday. The plans involved 23 individuals located outside the capital region, according to Patel.
"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 posted on the social platform X. Patel did not disclose the names of the suspects taken into custody or the nature of the alleged plot, but said the investigation remains ongoing and further information will be provided to the public as permitted.
"We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens – particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight", he continued. The UFC Freedom 250 fight was held Sunday night on the South Lawn of the White House with more than 4,000 fans in attendance. The event also coincided with President Trump’s 80th birthday, and occurred hours after he announced a peace agreement with Iran.
Multiple high-profile guests were in attendance, including UFC CEO Dana White, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, which owns streaming rights to UFC events. The fight was part of a slate of other events marking America’s 250 birthday this year, including a Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar race on the National Mall in August.