FBI Director Kash Patel prematurely announced details of an investigation into an alleged terror plot targeting the White House UFC event, sources told MS NOW on Tuesday.
Investigation Compromised
Ken Dilanian, the network’s justice and intelligence correspondent, wrote on X that Patel’s disclosure on social media compromised the sealed investigation because it came before another 10 suspects or so could be apprehended.
The FBI and Secret Service reportedly agreed to make a joint announcement later in the day but sources accused Patel of “jumping the gun,” as he has done previously.
“We all woke up this morning to see this on Twitter,” one disgruntled administration official told MS NOW.
HuffPost has reached out to the White House and the FBI for comment.
Patel's Social Media Announcement
Early Tuesday morning, Patel took to X to crow over the foiled scheme.
“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region – and 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,” he wrote.
“While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team – 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,” continued Patel, who attended the event with girlfriend Alexis Wilkins. “That’s exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted.”
Details of the Plot
The plan reportedly involved using explosive drones to trigger panic on the White House grounds and nearby, and then shoot spectators as they evacuated. That supposedly was to be followed by a “second wave” of terrorists storming the White House gates.
A handful of people were taken into custody in connection with the reported plot. One suspect’s mother had allegedly alerted law enforcement about her son’s suspicious activity.
Secret Service Criticism
Matt Quinn, the Secret Service’s deputy director, appeared to be referring to Patel in remarks at a Tuesday press conference. “I’ll tell you a phrase I learned early in my career in the New York field office and that’s `Don’t choke on your own smoke,” he said. “I’ll tell you the Secret Service led that investigation from the beginning. I’ll tell you that case is ongoing. In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation and the security plan, we chose not to leak it.”
