FBI Foils Alleged Drone Bomb and Sniper Plot Targeting White House UFC Event

Brazil's Diego Lopes and America's Steve Garcia fight in the featherweight bout during the "UFC Freedom 250" mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, June 14, 2026 (Credit: Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

The FBI foiled an alleged plot to attack Sunday's UFC event at the White House, FBI Director Kash Patel said, describing a multi-state operation that led to multiple arrests before the fight took place.

In a post on X, Patel said federal authorities and law enforcement partners became aware on June 10 of a "potential threat" to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C., involving individuals outside the National Capital Region.