FBI thwarted plot to attack event attended by Trump.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on June 16 that it had thwarted a planned attack targeting a large-scale unarmed combat sports event (UFC) at the White House, which was to be attended by President Donald Trump and many high-ranking officials.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed: “Thanks to the swift action of the FBI, law enforcement partners, and the Department of Justice in a federal operation, numerous suspects were apprehended and attack plans were completely thwarted.”
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced indictments against five men in connection with the incident. Investigators have identified 23 individuals linked to a suspected network behind the plot. The suspects are accused of planning to fly explosive-laden drones over the event area. After causing chaos and forcing the crowd to evacuate, snipers would open fire on “high-value targets” in the fleeing crowd.
One of those arrested was 19-year-old Tycen Proper, who was apprehended by authorities in Ohio on June 10 after his mother reported to police that her son was communicating online with an extremist group.
The DOJ said Proper “allegedly stockpiled firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical equipment at his Ohio home, and identified potential targets, including several members of Congress.”
The UFC Freedom 250 event, held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15th, attracted thousands of fans. To facilitate the event, organizers erected a temporary arena called "The Claw."
The White House is protected by a multi-layered security system, including rigorous surveillance, perimeter fences, checkpoints, air defense capabilities, snipers, and a standing rapid response force.
U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said his team had worked continuously in the days leading up to the event to identify and apprehend those involved.
"Agents, support staff, and technical security teams have been working around the clock to identify those responsible and bring them to justice," Curran wrote on social media platform X.
Vice President Vance criticizes the left wing.
The UFC Freedom 250 event marked the kickoff for a series of activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, and also coincided with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
In recent years, Trump has been the target of numerous assassination attempts. Most recently, in April, an alleged gunman attempted to storm a White House press gala that he was attending.
Vice President JD Vance, who was also present at the UFC event, said he had just been informed of the alleged plot. In an interview on Fox News, he described it as “a premeditated, organized terrorist plot.”
However, he did not provide further details about the suspects' motives, instead criticizing Democratic politicians for contributing to the increase in political violence through their anti-Trump statements.
"Everyone has a responsibility to end this. But many of my Democratic colleagues in Washington need to take a moment to reflect and ask themselves why the majority of political violence comes from their side," Vance said.
Meanwhile, the White House continues to argue that critics of President Trump, along with certain segments of the media, are contributing to escalating political tensions in the United States.
Meanwhile, Trump's political opponents argue that the Republican president's inflammatory rhetoric targeting his rivals, immigrants, and the electoral system is the root cause of this situation.
