Federal authorities stopped what law enforcement officials described as a serious threat to a UFC fight held at the White House on Sunday, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. The multi-state operation resulted in multiple arrests and prevented alleged attacks that had been planned for June 10.
Patel announced the disruption in a post on X, saying the FBI and its law enforcement partners became aware of the threat involving individuals from outside the Washington, D.C. area. "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 wrote.
According to reporting from Fox News, the alleged plot involved a group planning to deploy drones equipped with explosives to strike buildings near the venue. The scheme allegedly included targeting spectators fleeing the event with a sniper team, followed by an assault on the White House gates. NBC News has not independently verified those details, though a senior law enforcement official confirmed to the network that the plot was considered serious.
The White House complex was visibly fortified throughout the weekend. Roads surrounding the presidential residence were blocked, temporary fencing managed crowd flow, and hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers were stationed around the thousands of attendees at or near the White House.
The identities and specific motives of those allegedly involved have not been disclosed. An FBI spokesperson declined to provide additional details beyond Patel's statement, and the White House did not immediately comment on the matter.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of political violence across the country. In April, a man armed with guns and knives breached security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Cole Tomas Allen has pleaded not guilty to charges related to attempting to assassinate the president. Former President Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024, including a shooting during a Pennsylvania rally and an armed incident at Mar-a-Lago.
Congressional security has also become a growing concern. The U.S. Capitol Police investigated nearly 15,000 suspicious statements, behaviors, and communications targeting lawmakers, their families, staff, or the Capitol last year, a significant jump from over 9,000 potential threats investigated the prior year.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The speed of this disruption matters, but the frequency of these plots should terrify everyone paying attention."
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