FBI Stops Massive Plot to Blow Up UFC Event at White House With Explosive Drones
LIVE COVERAGE: The FBI disrupted an alleged plot targeting the “UFC Freedom 250” fight at the White House, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. Click here to get my exclusive breaking news alerts.
The FBI says it stopped an alleged terror plot targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, a historic patriotic fight night that drew thousands to the South Lawn and could have become a mass-casualty attack on America’s front yard.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau and partner agencies uncovered the threat before the June 14 event, which was staged as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration and President Trump’s 80th birthday weekend.
“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,” Patel said in a statement posted to X.
Fox News Digital reported that the alleged plot involved explosive-laden drones aimed at buildings near the venue. The New York Post reported five people were arrested and 23 others were identified as part of an alleged network of plotters. The alleged plan reportedly called for drones to spark panic, forcing spectators toward a sniper team, while a second group tried to storm the White House gates.
The FBI has not publicly released the names of the suspects, and officials have not disclosed all charges. Patel did not specify the number of arrests in his statement, but he credited the FBI’s multistate operation and cooperation with federal, state and local partners.
Some of those involved allegedly planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack.
One suspect allegedly told investigators the goal was to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires” or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The investigation stretched across at least 12 FBI field offices.
FBI Executive Assistant Director Terry Wade said the bureau and its partners had neutralized the danger, according to Fox News. “There is no longer any threat to these events,” Wade said.
The event went forward Sunday night under heavy security. The Associated Press reported that Patel, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and House Speaker Mike Johnson were among the officials seen arriving at the White House before the fights.
Just days before the event, Patel had touted an unusual partnership between the FBI and UFC fighters, saying roughly 300 federal agents had trained with mixed martial arts athletes ahead of the showcase.
“Thanks to the great partnership with @ufc we’ve seen about 300 agents come through and learn amazing tactics so they can safeguard American lives,” Patel wrote on X, according to Fox News.
The FBI’s Rapid Response team celebrated the training, declaring, “Greatest fighters in the world meet greatest cops in the world!”