Federal agents have arrested five people across multiple states for allegedly planning attacks on a UFC event held at the White House over the weekend, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
The mixed-martial-arts show took place on Donald Trump's 80th birthday on Sunday at the South Lawn. Law enforcement became aware of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the event. The FBI announced the disruption on Tuesday morning, stating that the swift intervention prevented the alleged attacks from occurring.
Suspects were taken into custody from Ohio, Missouri, and California, though precise charges have not yet been unsealed. Specific details about the nature of the threat remained undisclosed as of Tuesday, with officials indicating that further information would emerge once court filings became public.
According to reporting by Fox News, investigators identified 23 individuals potentially connected to the plot. The alleged scheme reportedly included plans to use explosive-laden drones, deploy snipers, and possibly breach the White House gates, though no assessment was immediately available regarding how far the plan had advanced.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said agents and technical security teams had worked continuously in the days before the event to identify those responsible. He noted that accountability through the justice system remained a priority alongside the protective mission, with formal case details to be revealed through court proceedings.
Trump had linked the UFC extravaganza to the broader 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence signing.
Author James Rodriguez: "The speed of the FBI's action here probably prevented something serious, but we're still waiting to see what the actual plot looked like once charges are filed."
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