The FBI has thwarted a multi-tiered attack plot involving an explosive drone targeting the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 event, resulting in five suspects being taken into custody, officials announced.
Details of the Plot
According to Fox News, the terror attack was designed to use an explosive drone aircraft to strike buildings in Washington, D.C., near the event. The ensuing mass panic and fleeing crowds would then be directed toward a waiting sniper team. Officials further stated that a second wave of attackers allegedly planned to storm the gates of the White House.
The FBI first learned of the threat on June 10 and swiftly executed a search warrant in Cincinnati, where the first arrest was made, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. In the following days, believed to be June 12 or 13, suspects traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to prepare for the alleged attack.
Investigators uncovered at least 23 individuals using the Signal chat app to allegedly discuss the attack ahead of the UFC event. One suspect reportedly revealed to investigators that the goal was to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians who received money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The White House Event
UFC Freedom 250 was held on the White House’s South Lawn as part of President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday weekend. Approximately 4,300 people attended, including 1,200 active-duty service members and 14 mixed martial artists competing inside a wire-mesh cage on Sunday night.
Nearby, an estimated 80,000 to 85,000 people gathered for UFC Fan Fest 250 at the White House’s Ellipse, just south of the executive mansion’s fence, while thousands more watched the fights on giant screens at the National Mall.
Investigation and Response
The investigation spanned at least 12 FBI field offices and law enforcement partners across multiple states, all credited, along with the Department of Justice, with stopping the alleged attack.
“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 to Fox News. “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. That’s exactly what we did here,” he added, thanking the agency’s “great agents and partners” as the investigation continues.
The U.S. Secret Service also stated it “worked closely” with the FBI during the investigation. “In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement. “Equally important to our protective mission is ensuring accountability through the justice system. To that end, our formal comments regarding the specifics of this case will be made through court filings.”
