**FBI Foils Drone Attack Plot at Trump’s White House UFC Event**
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully thwarted a plot to attack a UFC event held at the White House, which was attended by former President Donald Trump over the weekend. This information was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday.
The UFC title fight was part of the America 250 celebrations and coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday festivities. The event, however, stirred controversy due to its location on national grounds, leading to a failed legal attempt to prevent it from taking place. Reports have now surfaced indicating that the event was also targeted for a significant terrorist attack.
According to multiple media outlets citing FBI officials, the agency uncovered the alleged attack plan last week and arrested at least five individuals. The suspects are accused of plotting to use explosive-laden drones to create chaos at the event, followed by a sniper attack on fleeing attendees. Investigators further revealed that the group intended to storm the White House gates and breach the compound.
Patel confirmed that the plot was detected on June 10, and the FBI, in collaboration with partner agencies, acted swiftly to avert what he described as a planned attack on a “historic” event. He expressed gratitude for the rapid response of the FBI and the Department of Justice, which led to the apprehension of multiple individuals involved in the conspiracy.
“Thanks to the rapid action of the 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 stated on social media platform X.
The FBI director also mentioned that the agency had identified 23 individuals who were engaged in discussions about the plot through chats on the messaging app Signal. However, he did not disclose the total number of suspects currently in custody or provide additional details about the ongoing investigation, promising further updates to the public in the future.
The UFC event drew a significant crowd, with over 4,000 attendees, including approximately 1,200 active-duty military personnel. Additionally, an estimated 85,000 people participated in a ticketed watch party at the nearby Ellipse park, where large screens were set up to broadcast the fights.
The successful prevention of the attack highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to safeguard public events, especially those involving high-profile figures. As investigations continue, the FBI is expected to provide more information regarding the suspects and the nature of the plot in the coming days.