An alleged terror plot targeting thousands of spectators at Donald Trump’s blockbuster White House UFC event has been thwarted after a major FBI operation led to multiple arrests across the United States.
Federal investigators said the suspected scheme involved explosive-laden drones, sniper teams and an attempted assault on security barriers surrounding the White House during one of the most high-profile public events of Trump’s presidency.
Five people are understood to have been taken into custody, while officials identified a further 23 individuals believed to be connected to what authorities described as a possible wider network.
According to investigators, the alleged plan centred on UFC Freedom 250, a major fight night staged on the South Lawn of the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The event attracted thousands of spectators and was expected to draw a huge global television audience.
Officials claim the suspected attackers intended to launch drones carrying explosives against buildings close to the venue, triggering panic and forcing large crowds to flee.
As attendees rushed from the area, authorities allege they would have been funnelled towards locations where sniper teams had already been positioned.
Investigators further believe another group was preparing to exploit the resulting chaos by moving towards White House security perimeters.
The operation was reportedly disrupted before any stage of the plan could be executed.
According to the FBI, investigators uncovered encrypted communications and Signal group chats discussing what officials described as “pre-operational activity”.
One device allegedly contained conversations involving 23 individuals discussing travel plans to Virginia in the days immediately before the event.
Authorities claim some participants discussed targeting what they described as “capitalist elites”, billionaires and politicians linked to pro-Israel lobbying groups.
The revelations have raised fresh concerns about the growing sophistication of extremist plots targeting major public events in the United States.
Speaking after the arrests, FBI Director Kash Patel praised agents and law enforcement partners involved in the operation.
Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” he said.
While declining to provide extensive details because of the ongoing investigation, Patel suggested the operation demonstrated the bureau’s ability to detect threats before they materialise.
“We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight,” he said.
The FBI has not publicly disclosed the identities of those detained or provided further details regarding potential charges.
The alleged plot casts a shadow over what was intended to be a celebratory event showcasing American culture and sporting spectacle.
The White House UFC event represented one of the most unusual public gatherings ever staged on the presidential grounds.
Promoted as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, it was hailed by senior administration officials as a showcase of national pride and unity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a “gift to the American people”, predicting it would be watched by vast audiences around the world.
“The White House is the people’s house. It belongs to the people of the United States,” he said ahead of the event.
For security officials, however, the alleged plot serves as a reminder of the persistent threats facing high-profile public events.
As investigators continue examining the communications network allegedly linked to the suspects, questions remain about how extensive the operation was and whether additional arrests could follow.
For now, authorities believe a potentially devastating attack was prevented before it could move beyond the planning stage.
What should have been remembered solely as a historic sporting spectacle may now also be remembered as the event that became the target of one of the most chilling alleged terror plots in recent American history.
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