FBI busted explosive drone terror plot targeting Donald Trump’s UFC White House card
- FBI stopped an explosive drone plot aimed at Donald Trump during a UFC event at the White House, with nearly two dozen suspects identified and five people reportedly in custody.
Putting a UFC card on the White House South Lawn was never going to be straightforward.
Beyond turning a political landmark into a fight-night venue, organisers had to manage an open-air setting, weather concerns and the pressure of building an arena outside a traditional stadium.
Still, the biggest challenge was security. US president Donald Trump was attending in an exposed area and, although the event passed without incident, federal forces were dealing with a threat far more serious than crowd control.
FBI stopped explosive drone plot aimed at Donald Trump during UFC event at the White House
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
FBI Director Kash Patel said alleged attacks targeting the UFC event last Sunday were stopped after a multi-state operation, with nearly two dozen suspects identified and five people reportedly in custody.
Court documents said part of the plan involved explosive-packed drones striking nearby buildings before panic pushed crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team.
Prosecutors said a second wave of attackers was then expected to move towards a White House gate, raising the scale of what authorities described as a serious threat.
The event had around 4,300 invited guests on the South Lawn, while 85,000 more watched from a nearby fan zone, which made the alleged plan especially alarming for security officials.
Investigators said the plot was uncovered after concerns were raised about 19-year-old Ohio suspect Tycen Proper, whose encrypted messages allegedly connected him to others discussing anti-government violence.
The investigation remains active, according to Secret Service officials, with more suspects still being identified.
Read more:
