TLDR
- The FBI disrupted an alleged terror attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House
- Five suspects are in custody for allegedly planning a multi-stage coordinated assault
- The alleged plot involved drones striking buildings and a sniper team targeting people
- A second wave was allegedly planned to storm the White House gate
- Federal officials say as many as 23 people may have been connected to the broader network
Sources: CBS News | CNN (social report) | Instagram news post | CBS News (TV text summary)
Federal authorities arrested five people over an alleged plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House grounds last Sunday. The FBI says it disrupted the plan before any attack occurred.
Authorities claim the suspects planned a coordinated, multi-stage assault on the venue and surrounding area. According to reports from federal law enforcement officials, the alleged plot involved several phases of attack.
The first phase allegedly involved using drones to strike buildings near the White House venue where the UFC event took place. A sniper team was then allegedly planned to target people fleeing the scene after the initial drone strikes.
A second wave of attackers was allegedly planned to storm the White House gate during the chaos. Federal agents intervened before any of these plans could be carried out.
Broader Network Under Investigation
A federal law enforcement official told CNN that the case involves a broader network that had been under surveillance. Former Secret Service agent Michael Verden stated that as many as 23 people may have been connected to the alleged plot.
The five suspects currently in custody were arrested after federal officials became aware of discussions about attacking the UFC fight night event. Authorities monitored these discussions before making the arrests.
UFC FREEDOM 250
SUSPECTED TERROR TEEN ALLEGEDLY SNITCHED ON CO-CONSPIRATORS
• pic.twitter.com/aLpnZCca7r— Ernesto Abreu (@ernestolabreu) June 16, 2026
Federal agents from multiple agencies worked together to stop the alleged attack. The FBI has not released the identities of the suspects or provided details about their backgrounds.
Event Held at White House
The UFC Freedom 250 event, also referred to as UFC America 250, was held on the White House lawn last Sunday. The event marked an unusual use of the White House grounds for a for-profit sporting event.
UFC President Dana White organized the fight night at the White House. The event drew attention for being held at such a high-profile government location.
Security was already heightened for the event due to its location. The White House and surrounding areas are among the most heavily guarded places in the United States.
The FBI says it will provide more details as the investigation continues. Federal prosecutors have not announced what charges the five suspects will face.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the alleged plot had any connection to domestic or international terror groups. The investigation remains active as officials work to determine if more people were involved.
The arrests took place before Sunday’s event began. Attendees at the UFC Freedom 250 were not informed of the alleged threat at the time.
Federal officials praised the coordination between agencies that led to the arrests. The case involved surveillance work that had been ongoing before the event was scheduled.
The FBI has asked anyone with information about the alleged plot to contact federal authorities. Officials say they are working to determine the full scope of the alleged conspiracy and whether additional arrests will be made.
