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The FBI arrested five people in connection with an alleged multi-stage attack involving explosive drones, snipers and an attempted breach of the White House during Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday, citing officials.
The alleged plan called for explosive-laden drones to strike buildings near the event on the White House South Lawn, creating panic and forcing people toward a sniper team positioned to fire on the fleeing crowd, officials told the outlet.
A second group of attackers then allegedly planned to storm the White House gate.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that multiple people had been taken into custody during a multi-state law enforcement operation and said the planned attacks had been stopped.
“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.
The FBI and its law enforcement partners became aware of the potential threat June 10, according to Patel.
The bureau then executed a search warrant in Cincinnati, where the first arrest was made.
Some of the alleged suspects traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack, Fox News Digital reported.
Authorities examining a suspect’s iPhone found at least 23 users of the encrypted messaging application Signal involved in discussions about the alleged plan.
The investigation remains ongoing, Patel said.
Officials said the first phase of the alleged operation involved using drones carrying explosives to attack buildings near the UFC event.
The strikes were intended to cause mass panic and direct people fleeing the area toward an armed sniper team, according to the report.
A second wave of attackers allegedly planned to approach and storm a White House gate after the initial assault.
One suspect told investigators that the intended targets included “capitalist elites,” “billionaires” and politicians who had received money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to Fox News Digital.
Officials did not provide the names of the suspects or further details about possible charges.
Patel credited FBI agents, partner agencies and the Justice Department with identifying the alleged threat and preventing the attack.
“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,” he added in a post on X.
Patel said authorities would continue providing public updates when permitted as the investigation proceeds.
The UFC event was held on the White House South Lawn and coincided with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
About 4,300 people attended, including approximately 1,200 active-duty military personnel.
The arrests were made after authorities conducted operations across multiple states in the days before the gathering.
Officials said the alleged attack was prevented before it could be carried out.
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