In brief
The FBI thwarted a terrorism plot targeting a UFC fight held on the White House South Lawn on Sunday. Suspects planned to use explosive‑laden drones to strike nearby buildings and then launch a sniper attack while a second wave would storm the gate. Multiple suspects were arrested in a multi‑state operation and investigators accessed Signal chats detailing the scheme. The attack would have been timed to coincide with President Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations.
On Sunday, the United States celebrated President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday while hosting a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts on the White House South Lawn. A covert group had mapped out a violent attack that would have taken advantage of the crowd’s focus on the fight.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the plot involved explosive‑laden drones aimed at nearby buildings, followed by a sniper team designed to panic the crowd and draw people toward a second wave of attackers who would then attempt to storm the White House gate. The scheme was meant to be carried out during the historic UFC 250 fight, a special event that coincided with the president’s birthday.
A multi‑state operation arrested multiple suspects and seized communications on Signal in which the attackers discussed their plans. One suspect was taken into custody in Cincinnati, and investigators were able to access chat logs that mapped the intended attack sequence.
The FBI’s swift action prevented a potential mass‑casualty incident. “We are built to detect, respond to and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens—particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight,” Patel wrote on X.
The Secret Service confirmed that it worked closely with the FBI and will provide formal comments on the specifics of the case in court filings. The combined effort underscores the heightened security measures in place for public events held on White House grounds.
