- The alleged plan also involved storming the gates of the White House: report.
- At least five people were arrested: Fox News.
- Vance describes the plan as a “coordinated planned terrorist plot.”
US authorities said on Tuesday they had foiled a plot to attack the White House during a crowded mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump and other top officials.
“Thanks to the swift action of this FBI, our partners and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several people are now in custody and the allegedly planned attacks were stopped in their tracks,” FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X.
His publication included a caption of a fox news The headline reads: “FBI foils alleged explosive drone plot against UFC event at White House, officials say.”
Trump on Sunday joined thousands of fans in unprecedented brawls at the White House, where a temporary arena called “The Claw” was erected on the South Lawn.
fox news reported that five people had been detained, according to unnamed U.S. officials, and investigators identified 23 people in a “potential network of conspirators” who allegedly communicated in a Signal group chat.
The plan would have supposedly involved using drones to attack buildings near the White House during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contest, thereby triggering a mass evacuation that would “direct crowds toward a pre-organized sniper team.” fox news saying.
There were also allegedly plans to storm the gates of the White House with a “second wave,” according to the report.
It was unclear whether the people involved in the alleged plot had taken any steps to carry out an attack. The White House is protected by intense surveillance, fences, checkpoints, anti-aircraft capabilities, snipers and a permanent group of quick reaction forces.
When asked for more details about Patel’s announcement, the FBI said AFP “We have nothing to add to the post at this time.”
Vance goals remain
The June 14 “UFC Freedom 250” event, which also coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday, was meant to kick off this year’s festivities for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
fox news reported that the FBI learned of the threat on June 10.
“Protective intelligence cases are increasing and our teams are working tirelessly behind the scenes to investigate threats, identify those responsible, and ensure accountability,” the US Secret Service said in a statement on X.
“In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” said Secret Service Director Sean Curran.
Trump has faced several assassination attempts in recent years, most recently when a gunman tried to storm a White House press gala he was attending in April.
US Vice President JD Vance, who also attended the UFC event, said Tuesday morning in an appearance on fox news who had just learned of the alleged plot.
When asked why the FBI revealed the foiled plot (a move that is not always done for various security reasons), Vance pointed to the possible “scale of the planned attack.”
He described the alleged plot as a “coordinated planned terrorist plot” and cited the Trump administration’s work to investigate the financing and coordination networks of radical left-wing groups.
Vance did not provide further details about who the alleged suspects were or their motivations, but still accused Democrats of fomenting violence with anti-Trump rhetoric.
“Everyone has a role in eliminating these things, but I think a lot of my Democratic colleagues in Washington have to look in the mirror and say, ‘why is so much political violence coming from our side of the spectrum?'” he said.
The White House has repeatedly claimed that Trump’s critics and the media are responsible for increasing political tension in the country. Trump’s opponents say the 80-year-old Republican’s often inflammatory rhetoric against his opponents, immigrants and the electoral system is to blame.
