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FBI says plot to attack White House UFC event with drones thwarted

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The FBI thwarted a plot to attack a White House UFC event using explosive-laden drones, with multiple individuals now in custody.
  • The alleged plot involved individuals outside the National Capital Region targeting buildings near the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn of the White House.
  • US Vice President JD Vance stated an investigation will examine the coordination and funding behind the "coordinated planned terrorist plot."

The FBI has successfully thwarted a potential terrorist plot targeting the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts event held at the White House last weekend. The agency confirmed that multiple individuals are in custody in connection with the alleged plan, which involved using explosive-laden drones.

On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, DC involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region.

โ€” Kash PatelFBI Director confirming the agency's awareness of the thwarted plot.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the agency and its law enforcement partners became aware of the threat on June 10. The plot reportedly involved individuals operating outside the National Capital Region, aiming to strike buildings near the UFC Freedom 250 event, which took place on the South Lawn of the White House. Patel did not specify the exact number of people taken into custody following a multistate operation.

Sources cited by Fox News Digital indicated that the plotters intended to use drones equipped with explosives. US President Donald Trump, who attended the event, stated he was unaware of the plot while attending the G7 summit. However, Vice President JD Vance confirmed the seriousness of the threat, emphasizing that such an operation would require significant funding and coordination.

Twenty-three people do not get to the point where they're going to commit a mass terror incident in Washington, DC without some serious funding, without some serious coordination.

โ€” JD VanceUS Vice President highlighting the organized nature of the alleged plot.

"Twenty-three people do not get to the point where they're going to commit a mass terror incident in Washington, DC without some serious funding, without some serious coordination," Vance told Fox News. He characterized the incident not as the act of a few individuals but as a "coordinated planned terrorist plot," adding that an investigation would delve into the underground networks behind such violence.

That's not a few guys doing crazy stuff, เฎ…เฎคเฏ is a coordinated planned terrorist plot.

โ€” JD VanceUS Vice President describing the nature of the thwarted attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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