FBI Says It Foiled a Major Plot Targeting White House UFC Event

The FBI said Tuesday that it disrupted a large-scale plot to carry out a major attack at UFC Freedom 250, the event held Sunday at the White House to mark President Donald Trump’s birthday. According to the bureau, authorities received information last week about a potential threat to the event, involving people operating outside the Washington, D.C. area.

That tip triggered a multi-state operation involving FBI agents, other law-enforcement agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice. During the operation, several suspects were arrested and the planned attack was stopped, the FBI said.

Fox News reported that five people were arrested, and investigators identified 23 people as part of a possible network behind the plot. The suspected plan allegedly called for drone attacks loaded with explosives aimed at structures near the event.

Investigators said the goal was to force a mass evacuation and channel the crowd toward a pre-positioned sniper team. They also said a second wave was planned, in which attackers would rush the White House gate with weapons.