The FBI has disrupted a suspected terrorist plot to attack a mixed martial arts event at the White House, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The plot, which involved snipers and drones, was thwarted before it could be executed. UK security services have been briefed on the matter.
The operation, details of which remain classified, is understood to have targeted a UFC fight night hosted at the presidential residence earlier this year. The event, which drew high-ranking officials and dignitaries, was a showcase of soft power, blending sport with diplomatic outreach.
The FBI’s counter-terrorism division, working in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, identified the suspects through routine surveillance and intelligence sharing. The plot is said to have involved multiple assailants equipped with precision firearms and drones modified for aerial attacks.
White House security was immediately reinforced following the discovery. The event proceeded as planned under heightened security protocols. No attendees were placed at risk, and the suspects are now in federal custody.
The Metropolitan Police and MI5 have been notified, reflecting the close intelligence liaison between the United States and the United Kingdom. A Whitehall source confirmed that UK authorities are reviewing their own security arrangements for high-profile events involving US officials.
The incident underscores the evolving threat posed by lone actors and small cells using accessible technology such as drones. These weapons, once the preserve of state militaries, have become a persistent challenge for security agencies.
No group has claimed responsibility. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal prosecutors expected to bring charges in the coming weeks.
