In brief
The FBI announced that a planned attack on the White House during the UFC 250 fight on the South Lawn was thwarted. Multiple suspects were taken into custody following a multi‑state operation, according to FBI chief Kash Patel. Sources say the attackers intended to deploy drone aircraft laden with explosives to target nearby buildings, creating panic and funneling crowds toward sniper teams before a second wave of assailants would storm the gates. Investigators accessed Signal chats linking the conspirators, and a suspect was arrested in Cincinnati. The police and Secret Service are expected to release court filings with further details.
The FBI announced Thursday that it had thwarted a plot to attack the White House during the flagship UFC event held on the South Lawn, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that the investigation, carried out across several states, led to the detainment of multiple suspects. He noted that the alleged attacks were “stopped cold.”
According to confidential sources cited by CBS News, the conspirators planned to use drone aircraft loaded with explosives to strike nearby buildings, generating panic and drawing crowds toward a sniper team. A second wave of attackers was said to have intended to breach the White House gate afterward.
Investigators accessed Signal chat logs involving several individuals discussing the scheme. One suspect was arrested in Cincinnati last week.
Patel’s post on the social media platform X linked to a Fox News report detailing the drone‑based strategy, although the FBI did not confirm every detail publicly.
“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.
The Secret Service confirmed that it had worked closely with the FBI throughout the investigation. Director Sean Curran said that formal statements detailing the case would be released in court filings.
On Sunday, the White House hosted a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on its South Lawn as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Attendees included members of the administration, various celebrities, and thousands of fans witnessing the UFC 250 event.
