The FBI said it disrupted an alleged White House UFC plot targeting the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, DC, United States, with five suspects arrested after a multi-state investigation.
US authorities said the alleged attack targeted an event on the White House South Lawn that coincided with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations and drew thousands of attendees, including military personnel, according to The New York Post.
Investigators learned of the alleged plot on June 10 and made the first arrest in Cincinnati, officials said. Authorities later determined that some suspects had travelled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, before the event to prepare for the attack.
Fox News Digital cited authorities as saying the alleged plan involved explosive-laden drones aimed at buildings near the venue.
Officials said the attack was intended to cause panic before an alleged sniper team targeted fleeing crowds.
Authorities also alleged that a second group planned to breach the White House perimeter during the chaos. The FBI has not publicly released detailed evidence supporting those allegations.
Investigators examining one suspect’s mobile phone found communications involving at least 23 Signal users discussing the alleged operation. Officials said one suspect described the intended targets as “capitalist elites,” “billionaires”, and politicians linked to American Israel Public Affairs Committee funding.
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FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the FBI, its partners and the Department of Justice stopped the alleged attacks through a multi-state operation.
The UFC Freedom 250 event drew about 4,300 attendees, including around 1,200 active-duty service members, authorities said. It was the first UFC event staged on White House grounds.
