FBI Prevents Attack on White House UFC Event
The FBI successfully prevented a planned attack targeting the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday. Multiple suspects have been taken into custody, according to Kash Patel, head of the FBI.
"Allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,"Patel stated in a social media post on Tuesday regarding the "multi-state operation."
Details of the Plot
Sources speaking to CBS News, the BBC's US news partner, revealed that part of the plan involved using drones laden with explosives to strike nearby buildings. A suspect was apprehended in Cincinnati last week, and investigators gained access to Signal chat messages in which the alleged plotters discussed their plans.
The BBC has reached out to the FBI for additional comments.
The plotters intended to create panic by deploying explosive drones, causing the crowd to flee towards a sniper team positioned nearby. Following this, a "second wave" of attackers would have attempted to storm the White House gate, according to the sources cited by CBS.
While Patel's statement on X did not confirm these specific details, he shared a link to a Fox News report that included them. Fox News also reported that five individuals are currently in custody.
"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,"Patel added in his post.
Collaboration with Secret Service
Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed close cooperation between the Secret Service and the FBI throughout the investigation. He stated that formal comments regarding the case specifics will be made available in court filings.
"The Secret Service worked 'closely with the FBI throughout this investigation,' and their 'formal comments regarding the specifics of this case will be made available in court filings',"Curran said.
Event Context and Attendance
The UFC event was part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations and took place on the White House South Lawn on Sunday. Approximately 4,300 invite-only attendees were present, with an additional 85,000 spectators watching from a nearby fan zone. The event featured 14 fighters competing in consecutive matches.
The event coincided with former President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. Several members of his administration and various celebrities were in attendance.
Related Security Incidents
This thwarted attack follows recent security incidents near the White House. Approximately two months ago, there was a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Trump attended. Additionally, one month prior, a man was killed by Secret Service agents after opening fire at a White House checkpoint.
