Authorities disrupt planned drone and gun attack on White House UFC event, FBI says

The FBI successfully disrupted a multi-state plot to attack a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held at the White House this past weekend. Officials announced on Tuesday that the alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to strike nearby buildings, intending to trigger a mass evacuation and direct attendees towards pre-positioned snipers. A "second wave" was reportedly planned to then storm the White House gates.

This coordinated effort by the FBI, along with other law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, led to the arrest of five individuals across four states: Ohio, Missouri, California, and Nebraska. Authorities became aware of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the UFC Freedom 250 event, which took place on the White House South Lawn as part of President Donald Trump's 80th birthday celebrations.

The plotters, reportedly disgruntled with the country's direction, communicated through encrypted messages, sharing detailed maps and discussing escape routes. Their alleged objective included targeting "capitalist elites," "billionaires," or politicians, with one suspect indicating the aim was to "jumpstart" a revolution in the U.S.