FBI Stops Drone Attack Plot on White House UFC Event

Tue Jun 16 2026 15:38:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FBI foiled a drone‑based attack planned for a White House UFC event. Officers seized suspects and disrupted the plot that would have targeted the crowd.

On the South Lawn of the White House this Sunday, a fundraiser featuring a UFC 250 bout was the target of a sophisticated drone‑based attack plan. The FBI’s multi‑state operation uncovered the plot and detained several suspects, halting the attackers before they could strike. The alleged plan involved using explosive‑laden drones to panic the crowd and funnel them toward a sniper team, followed by a secondary assault on the White House gates. Security agencies, including the Secret Service, praised the coordinated effort and said details would be released in forthcoming court filings.

FBI Stops Drone Attack Plot on White House UFC Event

The FBI confirmed that it thwarted a planned attack on a UFC fight held on the South Lawn of the White House, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

According to a statement on X, FBI director Kash Patel said investigators seized multiple suspects in a multi‑state operation and stopped the plot before any explosives could be deployed.

Sources close to the investigation revealed the attackers had planned to use explosive‑laden drones to create chaos among the spectators, drawing them toward a sniper team. A second wave of assailants had allegedly aimed to breach the White House gate following the drone strikes.

Patel’s post quoted a Fox News article that detailed the drone and sniper plan. The Secret Service, which worked closely with the FBI, announced it would make formal statements based on court filings.

The UFC event, part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, attracted Trump, his administration officials, and several celebrities. Security forces at the White House reinforced vigilance for large gatherings after the FOILED plot.

Links and further coverage are available through BBC and CBS News as the investigation continues.