FBI Thwarts Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event, Five in Custody
WASHINGTON — The FBI said it foiled an alleged plot to attack the UFC America 250 event held at the White House on Sunday, a law enforcement source told CBS News that five people are in custody as the investigation continues.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the disruption in a post on X on Tuesday, stating that the bureau and its law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the event on June 10, involving individuals from outside the National Capital Region. “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.
Two sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the alleged plot involved using explosive-laden drones to strike buildings in the Washington area, with snipers positioned to target the crowd as they fled. This was reportedly followed by a “second wave” that included an attempt to storm the White House gate.
According to a law enforcement source, the tip that led to the arrests came from a relative who contacted authorities after becoming concerned that a family member was discussing plans to carry out violent acts in the nation’s capital. That information eventually led to the arrest of an Ohio man and the discovery of an informal network of individuals coordinating the plot on an encrypted Signal chat. Four others were taken into custody as the probe expanded.
Fox News first reported the alleged plot and the arrests.
The event was held on Sunday — which also marked President Trump’s 80th birthday — as part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Thousands of spectators gathered on the White House South Lawn to watch the fights, with Trump seated in the front row. The high-profile gathering, combined with recent security incidents in and around the capital, had already prompted heightened vigilance among law enforcement agencies.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement Tuesday morning that the agency had worked “closely with the FBI throughout this investigation” and that formal comments on the specifics of the case would be made available in court filings.
Patel praised the FBI’s work, describing the outcome as “the best of investigative work” and “nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team.” He added, “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.”
The alleged plot comes amid a string of security incidents near the White House in recent weeks. Late last month, a gunman was fatally shot by Secret Service officers after opening fire on a checkpoint near the executive mansion. In April, a separate shooting targeted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, casting a spotlight on the broader threat environment surrounding major events in the capital.
National security analysts note that the use of encrypted messaging apps and drones in the alleged scheme reflects evolving tactics among potential attackers, posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting high-profile gatherings. The quick intervention by the FBI and partner agencies, however, underscores the effectiveness of tip-based intelligence and interagency coordination in preventing such threats, experts said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.