Law enforcement officials disrupted "planned attacks" targeting the UFC cage fighting show held at the White House this past weekend, resulting in multiple arrests, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday.
The nature of the potential threat was not immediately disclosed, with additional details expected once charges are unsealed later Tuesday. Five people were arrested from states including Ohio, Missouri, and California, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The FBI learned about the possible threat on June 10, four days before the mixed-martial arts event on the White House's South Lawn. "Thanks to the rapid action of the 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 post on X.
Donald Trump, who celebrated his 80th birthday at the UFC event on Sunday, sought to tie the fights to larger celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Fox News reported that five people had been arrested and were in custody, with investigators identifying 23 people potentially involved in a plot to attack the event. The alleged plan reportedly involved explosive-laden drones, snipers, and possibly storming the White House gate. There was no indication of how realistic or advanced the plot had become.
Patel shared a link to the Fox News story, which indicated the plot came to the FBI's attention on June 10, triggering the first arrest in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Secret Service also issued a statement via Director Sean Curran, saying, "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."
