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
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. Read Full Story 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. (Photo: X/@TheJusticeDept) 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. (Photo: X/@TheJusticeDept) 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.
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