Was Trump the target? FBI foils alleged drone attack plan at White House UFC event

Federal agents foiled an alleged plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack at a UFC event hosted on the White House grounds, FBI Director Kash Patel and the Secret Service said Tuesday. Five people were arrested on charges of planning to use explosive-laden drones and sniper fire to target politicians, government officials and attendees.

According to court documents cited by news agency Reuters, investigators uncovered a scheme that involved detonating drones near the White House, which would have driven crowds toward designated exits where snipers would then have opened fire on fleeing attendees. The event, attended by President Donald Trump and senior Republican figures, went ahead without incident over the weekend.

FBI Director Kash Patel said authorities became aware of the threat on June 10, four days before the event.

"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 Capital Region," Patel said in a statement posted on X.

ALLEGED PLAN TARGETED WHITE HOUSE EVENT

Investigators say members of the group discussed using drones carrying explosives to strike the north side of the White House. The goal, according to court filings, was to trigger panic among attendees and force them towards designated exits where armed snipers would be waiting.

The UFC event was held on the White House South Lawn as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump attended the event on his 80th birthday alongside lawmakers, donors and administration officials.

Court records indicate that authorities recovered firearms from several suspects and obtained encrypted communications discussing maps of the White House complex, escape routes and possible safe houses after the attack.

Messages cited in the investigation indicated participants exchanged aerial photographs of the area and discussed operational details through encrypted chats.

The investigation began after the mother of one of the suspects, 19-year-old Ohio resident Tycen Proper, reportedly contacted local police with concerns about her son's behaviour.

According to The Mirror, she reported that Proper had recently purchased weapons and was communicating online with individuals who claimed to have military experience. She also told investigators she overheard conversations involving physical training, reconnaissance and "hit and run missions".

Authorities arrested Proper on June 10.

During questioning, Proper allegedly admitted he was aware of plans to attack the UFC event and told investigators the operation was intended to "jumpstart" a revolution.

"The members of the group stated that they wanted to protect the United States, which they believed was headed in the wrong direction," the affidavit states.

"Members of the group believed that the United States needed to be torn down so that it could be rebuilt."

EXTREMIST VIEWS EMERGE IN INVESTIGATION

Court filings paint a picture of a loosely connected group united by anti-government beliefs, conspiracy theories and anger over the country's direction. Investigators allege that some of them were frustrated by the Trump administration's handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Others reportedly shared antisemitic views and expressed hostility toward elected officials.

One message referenced in court documents allegedly contained photographs of lawmakers accompanied by the statement: "these are the people we're going to focus on."

Authorities say some members also discussed targeting politicians who had received campaign donations from pro-Israel organisations.

The group initially communicated through a TikTok channel known as "Vanguard of the Old" before moving discussions to the encrypted messaging platform Signal, investigators said.

FIVE CHARGED, INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Five people from Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California have been arrested so far. At least three suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Other charges include weapons offences and conspiracy against the United States.

Investigators believe as many as 23 people may have participated in planning discussions, though authorities have not publicly identified all individuals involved.

Court documents satiated not everyone involved in the group intended to take part directly in the violence. Some told investigators they saw themselves more as observers or advisers than active participants in the planned attack.

One suspect said he intended to travel to the White House event as a protester but never made it there after his vehicle broke down, according to investigators.

VANCE CALLS IT A COORDINATED TERROR PLOT

Speaking from the G7 Summit in France, Trump said he had not been briefed on the alleged plot before it became public.

Vice President JD Vance described the case as evidence of a more organised threat.

"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 said in an interview with Fox News.

"That's not a few guys doing crazy stuff, that is a coordinated planned terrorist plot."

Authorities say the investigation remains active and additional arrests have not been ruled out.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies