Court papers describe an alleged plan involving explosive drones, snipers and suspects in several states.
WASHINGTON, DC — The FBI said Tuesday it disrupted an alleged plot to attack a UFC event held Sunday on the White House South Lawn, stopping what officials described as a planned assault involving explosive drones and sniper fire.
Federal authorities said the threat was detected June 10, four days before the event, and led to arrests in a multistate investigation. The case drew new attention because President Donald Trump attended the UFC card, which was tied to America’s 250th anniversary events and Trump’s 80th birthday. Court records and officials described a developing inquiry with several suspects in custody, others identified and some details still under seal.
FBI Director Kash Patel said law enforcement learned of a possible threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington involving people outside the National Capital Region. Patel said the FBI, the Justice Department and local partners moved through a coordinated operation and that the “allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold.” The event went forward Sunday on the South Lawn with heavy security, fighters, invited guests and spectators gathered around a temporary outdoor setup near the executive mansion. Trump later told reporters at the Group of Seven summit in France that he had not heard about the alleged plot. “The attack that I watched were the fighters,” Trump said when asked about the case.
Newly unsealed court papers described an alleged plan that federal officials said included small drones carrying explosives, followed by sniper attacks aimed at people fleeing the area. Investigators said the plotters discussed senior government officials, wealthy attendees and political targets in encrypted messages. Officials said about 20 people communicated through Signal and TikTok while planning or discussing the attack. Five people were reported arrested in several states, including Tycen Proper, 19, of Ohio. Proper’s mother alerted authorities after becoming concerned about his behavior, according to court records. Authorities said Proper later admitted helping plan the attack and described a goal of sparking a revolution. The exact number of people who may face charges remained unclear Tuesday, and officials said more investigative steps were underway.
The alleged plot added a sharp security turn to an event that had already drawn legal and political attention. UFC Freedom 250 was staged on federal property after a lawsuit seeking to block the event failed days earlier. A federal judge rejected the request Friday, finding the challengers had not shown enough grounds to stop the fight card. The event was unusual for both the UFC and the White House. It placed a major combat sports promotion on the South Lawn and brought together federal officials, public figures, athletes and spectators in one of the most guarded areas of the country. The FBI’s public statement did not say whether the alleged plot changed any visible security measures at the event.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn described the alleged plot as “unique” because of the number of people involved and the level of planning. Officials said the agency worked with the FBI as the case developed before the event. Investigators were examining communications, weapons plans, travel details and possible links among suspects in different states. Federal charges reported in the case included serious offenses tied to an alleged attempt to attack public officials, though prosecutors had not released a full public charging summary for every person identified. The White House declined further comment Tuesday, and the FBI referred questions to Patel’s statement and court records.
The South Lawn event proceeded despite the alleged threat, with the UFC card becoming part of a broader weekend of events in Washington. Fighters competed inside an outdoor cage set against the backdrop of the White House grounds. UFC officials had promoted the show as a one-time spectacle, while critics had questioned the use of the site and the event’s ties to Trump. The alleged plot shifted the focus from spectacle to security. Law enforcement officials said the plan, if carried out, could have caused panic in a dense crowd and created a second danger as people tried to flee. No injuries tied to the alleged plot were reported.
Authorities said the investigation remained active Tuesday, with court filings expected to provide more detail on the suspects, charges and evidence. The next milestone is the release of additional case records and any first court appearances for those arrested.
Author note: Last updated Tuesday, June 16, 2026.