WASHINGTON: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced that it thwarted an alleged terrorist plot targeting a major UFC event held at the White House earlier this week, leading to the arrest of several suspects accused of planning a mass-casualty attack.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, authorities identified a potential threat linked to the “UFC Freedom 250” event days before it took place on June 14. The event was hosted on the South Lawn of the White House and attracted large crowds.
In a statement shared on social media, Patel said the FBI, together with partner law enforcement agencies and the US Department of Justice, carried out a rapid operation that resulted in the arrest of multiple individuals allegedly involved in planning the attack.
US prosecutors have charged five suspects, ranging in age from their teens to their thirties, with conspiring to assassinate government officials and other attendees. Authorities allege the group intended to carry out an incident designed to cause mass casualties at the high-profile gathering.
Investigators said law enforcement had identified a broader network of 23 alleged co-conspirators, with five individuals taken into custody. According to court documents cited by US media reports, the suspects communicated through social media and encrypted messaging platforms while coordinating the alleged plot.
The uncovered plan reportedly involved launching drones carrying explosives over the event crowd before opening fire on spectators attempting to flee. Officials said the operation was disrupted before any attack could be carried out.
The “UFC Freedom 250” event was organized to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and also celebrated the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump. The gathering featured military flyovers and a fireworks display.
As part of security measures surrounding the event, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights at several airports in the Washington area during the celebrations.