Federal authorities arrested five individuals accused of planning a coordinated attack with explosive drones, snipers, and armed assailants during the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House
U.S. authorities thwarted an alleged terrorist plot to attack the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 event, a sports exhibition held on the South Lawn that gathered thousands of people and coincided with the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump.
The investigation, led by the FBI, culminated in the arrest of five suspects and the identification of a broader network of individuals who allegedly participated in planning the attack.
According to federal sources, the plan involved the use of drones loaded with explosives, sniper equipment, and a subsequent armed incursion into the presidential complex, in an operation designed to generate mass panic and cause a high number of casualties.
A multi-phase plan to create a massacre
The investigation began on June 10, when FBI agents detected suspicious conversations on encrypted messaging platforms.
Based on that information, authorities conducted a series of coordinated operations in more than a dozen states, including Ohio, California, and Missouri.
According to court documents, the plan unfolded in three stages:
Explosive drone attacks against buildings near the event.
Provoking a stampede among attendees.
Directing the crowd toward an area where snipers would open fire.
A second wave of attackers would attempt to enter the White House complex.
Investigators identified at least 23 participants exchanging tactical and logistical information via the Signal app.
The United States thwarted a plot to attack the White House during the UFC event
Targets linked to Israel and high-profile figures
According to documents cited by U.S. media, one of the detainees admitted that the main targets included alleged "capitalist elites," billionaires, and individuals linked to the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee).
This information brings back to light the rise of violent threats directed against organizations related to Israel and the Jewish community in the West.
Authorities did not rule out that broader ideological motivations or possible connections with extremist groups were behind the plot.
The FBI highlighted the rapid response of federal forces
The FBI director, Kash Patel, stated that coordination among agencies allowed them to neutralize the threat before it could materialize.
"Thanks to the swift action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice, multiple individuals are in custody and the planned attacks were stopped in their tracks", he noted.
The United States thwarted a plot to attack the White House during the UFC event
The investigation involved more than twelve FBI field offices and various federal jurisdictions.
An event with thousands of attendees and military presence
The UFC Freedom 250 gathered approximately 4,300 people, including about 1,200 active-duty military personnel, as well as special guests and political figures.
Authorities believe that, had it been carried out, the attack could have caused one of the largest national security tragedies in recent years in Washington.
So far, the Department of Justice has not revealed the identities of the five detainees and warned that the investigation remains open, so new arrests and the filing of additional charges in the coming days cannot be ruled out.
The rapid intervention of federal forces prevented what investigators describe as a highly coordinated terrorist attack against one of the most protected and symbolic places in the United States.
