On Tuesday, it was disclosed that the FBI successfully prevented an explosive drone attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn of the White House last Sunday. Five individuals have already been arrested in connection to this incident.
Details indicate that the planned attack involved drones loaded with explosives aiming at various buildings near the event, leading to chaos as attendees fled, potentially into the line of fire of sniper teams that were on standby, according to officials speaking to Fox News Digital.
Authorities reported that a “second wave” of assailants intended to breach the gates of the White House.
The agency became aware of the plot on June 10 and executed a search warrant in Cincinnati, which resulted in the first arrests.
Some of the suspects had traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to finalize plans for the attack.
During a search of one suspect’s iPhone, investigators discovered discussions among at least 23 users on the encrypted messaging app Signal regarding this potential attack in the nation’s capital.
According to reports, one suspect explained that the attack aimed to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians connected with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
“Thanks to the rapid response from the FBI, along with our partners and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several individuals are now in custody, and the purported attack was intercepted,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement to FOX News Digital.
The high-profile mixed martial arts event coincided with President Trump’s 80th birthday, drawing an audience of about 4,300 people, including 1,200 active-duty military personnel.
