FBI Says ‘Planned Attacks’ Targeting UFC at White House Foiled; several suspects arrested | Today’s news
U.S. law enforcement agencies disrupted what officials described as “planned attacks” targeting a UFC event held at the White House over the weekend to celebrate President Donald Trump’s birthday, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
The nature of the alleged threat has not yet been released, although authorities said more details will be released once criminal charges are formally laid.
Several suspects in custody
Five people were arrested in a multistate operation involving Ohio, Missouri and California, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the information has not yet been released.
Authorities did not reveal whether the suspects were connected to each other or provide details about the intended targets or methods of the alleged attacks.
The FBI learned of the threat days before the event
In a post on X on Tuesday, Patel said the FBI became aware of the potential threat on June 10, four days before a UFC event took place on the South Lawn of the White House.
“The FBI became aware of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the mixed martial arts extravaganza on the South Lawn of the White House, and thanks to the swift action of the FBI, our partners and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several individuals are now in custody and the alleged planned attacks have been stopped,” Patel wrote.
The FBI director credited coordination between federal and local law enforcement for preventing the alleged plot from progressing.
The Secret Service stresses the security response
US Secret Service Director Sean Curran said investigators were working around the clock to identify those involved.
“The Secret Service has worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Curran said in a statement.
The Secret Service did not say whether the suspects ever gained access to the event venue or posed an immediate threat to attendees.
The White House hosted a UFC event for Trump’s birthday
The UFC event was held at the White House on Sunday as part of celebrations for Trump’s 80th birthday and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The mixed martial arts display on the White House South Lawn drew widespread attention and was part of a broader series of administration-sponsored commemorations.
Trump frequently attends UFC events and maintains a close relationship with senior officials of the organization.
Trump says he was not informed
Speaking to reporters in Évian-les-Bains, France, where he was attending the G7 summit, Trump said he had not yet been informed of the alleged plot.
“I was not informed of that,” Trump said when asked about the reported threat.
The White House had no further comment on the arrest.
More details are awaited
Officials said more information about the investigation, including the identities of those arrested, the alleged motive and the specific nature of the planned attacks, is expected to become public after court documents and criminal charges are unsealed later Tuesday.
For now, authorities say the alleged threat was neutralized before it could be carried out, with several suspects remaining in custody while the investigation continues.
