Unidentified drones have been detected flying over Fort Lesley J. McNair, the Washington Army installation that is home to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raising urgent security concerns at the highest levels of the US government, the Washington Post reported.
The sighting — several drones spotted in a single night over the past 10 days — prompted an emergency White House meeting and prompted officials to consider moving both secretaries, according to three people briefed on the matter. According to recent reports, neither Rubio nor Hegseth were moved.
What we know about the drone incident at Fort McNair
Investigators have not yet been able to determine the origin of the drones, two of the people briefed said. Given the current security climate, the incident is being handled with particular gravity: the US and Israel are actively conducting strikes against Iran, forcing the military to monitor potential threats with much greater vigilance.
A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of sensitive security matters, confirmed the sighting and subsequent discussions at the White House, noting that increased security measures have since been put in place at the base.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to comment on the details. “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible,” he said.
US military bases on high alert across the country
The drone episode at Fort McNair is not an isolated development. It forms part of a wider pattern of escalating security alerts at US military installations in recent days.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida raised their force protection levels to Charlie — the second-highest designation, indicating the commander has received intelligence indicating a possible attack or danger. Only the Delta level, reserved for when an attack occurs or is imminent, is ranked higher.
MacDill, which serves as headquarters for US Central Command and oversees US military operations against Iran, has faced two separate security incidents this week alone. An FBI investigation is now underway after a suspicious package closed the base’s visitor center for several hours Monday. Another unspecified security incident on Wednesday put the base under a shelter-in-place order for hours.
“To ensure the safety and security of our people and mission, commanders are adjusting their installation’s security posture in accordance with local threat assessments,” an Air Force spokesman said.
The State Department issues a global security alert for diplomatic missions
In addition to domestic military installations, the State Department this week ordered all U.S. diplomatic missions around the world to conduct immediate security assessments. The cable, reviewed by the Washington Post, cited “the ongoing and evolving situation in the Middle East and the potential for side effects” as the basis for the directive.
The widespread global alert reflects the degree to which the conflict with Iran is seen as a threat that goes beyond the battlefield.
Why Fort McNair is a salient and vulnerable target
Fort McNair is home to the National Defense University and several of the Pentagon’s top military officials. Historically, the base did not house political leadership — but that has changed under the current administration. A growing number of Trump officials, including outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have relocated to bases in the area due to personal safety concerns.
The base’s appeal is partly geographic: it’s close to Capitol Hill and the White House, making it convenient for senior officials. However, security analysts note that it lacks the protective buffer that other devices in the capital region provide, leaving it comparatively more exposed.
Iran’s history of targeting US officials raises concerns
The latest security warnings take on an added dimension given Iran’s documented history of plots against US officials. In the years following the 2020 US strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s leaders have repeatedly sought to retaliate against those believed to be responsible.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, the Secret Service protecting Donald Trump’s team encountered unidentified drones several times — including at a press conference in Los Angeles and during a motorcade through rural western Pennsylvania. That September, officials informed Trump that Iran had allegedly deployed several hit squads in the country with the intention of assassinating him. While no direct link to Iran was proven in any of the assassination attempts that year, officials said they could not rule out a link.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, both held by Tehran to be responsible for the Soleimani strike, were granted enhanced government security protection under the Biden administration. These details were removed by Trump in 2025.
