New arrests made on suspicion of planning White House UFC terrorist attack
Recently, there have been additional arrests linked to an alleged terrorist plot against a UFC event at the White House. Six individuals are now in custody, with Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez identified as the leader. The conspiracy reportedly involved drones equipped with explosives and coordinated sniper teams meant to target gatherings and political figures in Washington, DC.
In a related note, Rep. Pat Harrigan from North Carolina, who is part of a crucial subcommittee within the House Armed Services Committee, is advocating for the end of Chinese drones being utilized by U.S. law enforcement.
Harrigan expressed concerns, stating, “Here in the United States, we have allowed China to dominate a large portion of the global drone market, yet our government agencies continue to rely on systems built by companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.” He considers this a significant error in strategy.
The proposed legislation, named the U.S. Drone Manufacturing Advantage Act of 2026, aims to prohibit the use of Chinese-made drones by domestic law enforcement agencies, which might currently have them in operation. Moreover, it supports legislative actions that Republicans are pushing to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing in sensitive areas. Federal grants would also hinge on the condition that no foreign-made drones are obtained after January 1, 2027.
Harrigan emphasized the security risks posed by drones, noting their increasing sophistication and usage in military operations worldwide. “One of the clearest lessons from Ukraine is that drones are now a fundamental aspect of modern warfare,” he remarked.
Most major U.S. cities have put restrictions on drone usage. Washington, DC, for instance, completely bans drone operations due to the Federal Special Flight Regulation Area, which oversees tightly controlled airspace. Nevertheless, the use of drones has surged recently, especially in border patrol, where they help officials cover expansive areas effectively.
In 2020, an internal memo from the then-U.S. Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott indicated plans to increase drone utilization. The memo highlighted that the deployment of unmanned technologies would significantly enhance detection and response capabilities beyond what was achievable with existing technologies.
Local police departments also employ drones, often sourced from Chinese manufacturers like Da Jiang Innovations (DJI). In Texas alone, out of 966 drones registered with law enforcement as of 2024, a staggering 879 were produced by DJI.
Harrigan remains convinced that while drone usage will continue to grow, lawmakers should place American security at the forefront and prioritize domestic manufacturing.
He concluded, “If drones are to play a central role in national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure, the United States needs to be able to build them at home.” It’s still uncertain when the House of Representatives will discuss Harrigan’s proposed bill.
