FBI disrupts plot targeting UFC event at White House with explosive drones: Sources - ABC News
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Five people are in custody, according to sources.
ByLuke Barr and Pierre ThomasJune 16, 2026, 9:17 AM
The FBI disrupted an alleged plot targeting the "UFC Freedom 250" fights at the White House on Sunday that included explosive drones designed to target buildings in the area, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to ABC News that law enforcement became aware of the plot on June 10, the Wednesday prior to the event. He praised the "rapid action" of the FBI and its partners, including a "a multi-state operation."
Five people are in custody as of Tuesday morning, according to sources. The alleged suspects in custody include one individual from Cincinnati, Ohio, sources said.
Twenty-three people were allegedly in Signal chats discussing preoperational plans, according to sources. Some of those involved in the plot allegedly traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 according to sources.
The UFC Freedom 250 fight on the South Lawn of the White House is seen from the top of the Washington Monument on June 14, 2026 in Washington.Win McNamee/Getty Images
FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials warned in a bulletin earlier this month that the fights were "attractive symbolic targets." There were no credible threats listed in the bulletin at the time.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship event was held in the evening on Sunday, June 14, on the grounds of the White House. Billed as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary, it also coincided with the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, who was in attendance.
The alleged plot involved explosive-laden drones, according to sources, which were designed to hit buildings in the area to spur a mass evacuation.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026 in Washington.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A "second wave" targeting a security checkpoint was then planned, according to sources.
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Patel said law enforcement response included a "multi-state operation."
"While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team -- 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 said in his statement. "That's exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted."
President Donald Trump and UFC President and CEO Dana White watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a fly over the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026, in Washington.Jacquelyn Martin/ AP Photo
Federal law prohibits flying drones in the airspace over the National Capital Region, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Washington field office told ABC News last week.
"We will have law enforcement drones for overwatch, but just to make it simple for the public, if they see a drone, we want them to report that," Tara McLeese, the special agent in charge, said at the time.
ABC News' Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
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Next time they'll hold the UFC fights in the basement of the ballroom.
We need that ballroom more than ever now. I’m surprised Trump hasn’t expanded the basement to include a golf course.
funny how this story neglects to mention the terrorist group involved are xtian extremists that are unhappy about the non-release of the epstein files and the administration slow walking their goal to transform america into geezusland. gee, bummer thumpers ...
Wrong. Reports say they wanted to punish the millionaires and billionaires who contribute to and support Israel. Nice try though.
ABC News is reporting that the plotters are anti-government. They look more like sovereign citizens or oath keepers than leftists.
most legitimate news outlets, and ABC, are reporting that they're xtian nationalist extremists ...
ie: thumper incels with a gun fetish that are using a religious excuse for never getting laid ...
Is that what “they” look like? Interesting.
[✘]
Okay, there’s two present and accounted for. Glad to see it.
Show us the drones. Show us the explosives. Otherwise this can be written off as another case of the FBI trolling social media searching for suckers.
Working on it.
Chances are, the perpetrators will either end up elected to congress as democrats or be given tenure at universities.
what's more likely is they'll get a pardon by trump after they give him millions, and then they'll return to their former lives as evangelical grifters and pedophiles ...
So you're saying they are associated with Biden.
no, I'm saying that they're associated with xtian conservatives, ie: republicans ...
GOP = guardians of pedohiles
MAGA = molesters are getting anonymity
Grand Old Party (GOP)
Sounds eerily familiar.
But seriously, I know most GOP are not ultra fringe nutjobs like these clearly fringe Christo-fascists that are justifying attacking the system because they don't think the system run by either side is working.
So no, these nuts are not MAGA morons, at least not anymore. They were radicalized and went even further down the aggrieved rightwing Christian militia rabbit hole so we can't lay this 'concept' of an attack, or whatever it turns out to be, at their feet.
since there seems to be a maga civil war percolating, the different factions are now jockeying for position, so I disagree ...
[deleted][✘]
Well, they did welcome in the rightwing radicals since they needed them to gain power, but now that those on the far right didn't get what they wanted which were political and celebrity heads to roll after a complete release of the Epstein files, they're pissed. They backed Trump because he promised them he wasn't in the files, and he said he'd prove it by releasing the files as soon as he was elected President. Now, true to form, he stabbed them in the back as it turns out he's named tens of thousands of times in the Epstein files and his administration releases almost nothing even after being ordered by congress to release everything.
So, did Trump create these dipshits? Yes, I think that argument can be made. He made promises he knew he wouldn't keep to zealots and crazy people. He even fanned the flames of their conspiracy theories, so I'm not at all surprised that it's coming back to haunt him. And then of course, Trumps hilariously inept head of the FBI had to jump out and prematurely exasperate all over the Secret Service Deputy Director by spilling the beans before they had even arrested everyone involved and was an active operation potentially putting agents in the field at risk. But hey, Trump asked his supporters several times when they were considering who to support, "What the hell do you have to lose?". I think the answer to that question is abundantly clear.
it's going to be one scandal after another with that buffoon as FBI director ...
My statement stands.
... like a 3 legged chair.
Which stand just fine if not designed by a retard.
Any questions?
Just two. When did rightwing conservatives 'reclaim' the 'r' word? Or is it one of those things where those affected can say it all they want?
It still stands.
It apparently bothers you. Not that it matters.
If that were the case we know it wouldn't be the right using it so often.
Yeah, trigger words can be hard on my friends on the left. Especially the ones who regularly use worse language every day.
It’s hard out there on a hypocrite.
Really? Why the fuck would clearly hardline Christian militia conspiracy theorist's support Democrats?
The Secret Service says Kash Patel jeopardized this investigation by blabbing about it on X.
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