A “planned attack” on President Donald Trump’s UFC fight at the White House this weekend included explosive-laden drones and snipers intended to target fleeing viewers, FBI officials say.
Five people were in custody as of Monday, and investigators identified 23 people who are part of a potential network of plotters, officials told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. The people arrested were from Ohio, Missouri and California, sources told the Associated Press.
The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to strike buildings near the event. The explosions would then prompt a mass evacuation and force fleeing crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team, the officials said.
A “second wave” was then set to allegedly storm the White House gate, officials added.
The FBI learned of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the UFC Freedom 250 extravaganza was set to be held on the White House’s South Lawn. The high-profile event was held on Sunday, also to honor Trump’s 80th birthday.
After learning of the threat, the FBI secured probable cause for the arrest of one suspect in Cincinnati.
Investigators also uncovered Signal chats where at least 23 people were allegedly discussing their planned attack at the UFC event. Some of those involved allegedly had plans to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack, according to Fox.
One suspect apparently claimed the goal was to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires” or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to the report.
“Thanks to the rapid action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.
“I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing, and we will continue to update the public as permitted,” he added.
Additional details, including the charges, were expected to be released later Tuesday, per AP.
The massive UFC fight marking the nation’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 80th birthday, drew in just over 4,000 attendees, as well as 1,200 active-duty service members. The UFC said it invested $60 million in the staged fights, which took place just outside the White House.
Trump was joined by UFC CEO Dana White, as well as members of his family including first lady Melania Trump and sons Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Barron Trump.
The event was thought to have gone on without a hitch, despite a rain delay. While American lightweight Justin Gaetheje was victorious over Ilia Touria, the main headline to come from the event was that a fighter called former first lady Michelle Obama a “man” after becoming the heavyweight champion.
UFC Josh Hokit, 28, made the hateful and unprompted comment during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan after winning his fight on the South Lawn. White, the UFC CEO, later slammed Hokit’s remarks, telling TIME: “I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
