The FBI has thwarted an alleged plot aimed at this weekend's UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington D.C., involving explosive-laden drones to target buildings near the White House and force a mass evacuation. Five people have been arrested, and 23 individuals have been identified as part of a potential network of conspirators.
Details of the Plot
According to officials, the purported plan involved using drones loaded with explosives to strike buildings near the event, instigating a mass evacuation and directing crowds toward a pre-arranged sniper team. A second wave was then allegedly scheduled to storm the White House gate, as reported by Fox News.
The FBI first became aware of the threat on June 10 and collaborated with partners to establish probable cause for an arrest in Cincinnati, where one suspect was apprehended. Investigators subsequently discovered Signal chats in which several individuals allegedly discussed attacking the UFC event. An initial examination of one suspect's iPhone identified at least 23 Signal users discussing pre-operational activity, officials stated.
Suspects and Motives
Some of those implicated allegedly planned to journey to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on 12 or 13 June to prepare for the attack. One suspect reportedly told investigators the objective was to target capitalist elites, billionaires, or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the FBI, the Department of Justice, and law enforcement partners for responding swiftly across multiple states to thwart the suspected 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 Digital.
Patel said the operation demonstrated the FBI's capacity to react promptly when threats materialize. While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team, Patel said. 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.
I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing, and we will continue to update the public as permitted, Patel added.
The suspected conspiracy targeted UFC Freedom 250, a high-profile White House event staged on the South Lawn as part of President Donald Trump's 80th birthday weekend.
