The FBI thwarted an alleged plot to attack the UFC America 250 event held on June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The event, attended by President Donald Trump and his family, coincided with Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of US independence [1, 3, 5, 6].
The planned attack involved using explosive-laden drones aimed at buildings near the event [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9]. The plotters also planned a second phase with sniper fire targeting crowds fleeing the scene, followed by storming the White House gates [1, 5, 6, 9].
The FBI learned of the threat on June 10, four days before the event, and quickly mobilized a multi-state operation [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8]. FBI Director Kash Patel said, "Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold" [5].
At least five people were arrested and charged with conspiracy and weapons offenses in states including Ohio, Missouri, and California [2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 8]. Among those charged is 19-year-old Tycen Proper of Ohio, accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, and weapons offenses; he reportedly identified multiple lawmakers as targets [3, 6]. Authorities identified 23 people as part of a broader network connected to the plot [2, 5]. Vice President JD Vance said, "Twenty-three people do not get to the point where they’re going to commit a mass terror incident in Washington, DC without some serious funding, without some serious coordination ... that is a coordinated, planned terrorist plot" [5].
The US Secret Service collaborated closely with the FBI during the investigation. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said, "We worked closely with the FBI throughout this investigation ... our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable" [6].
President Trump did not comment directly on the plot when asked on June 16 [4, 6]. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has cited the alleged plot as grounds for building a bulletproof, drone-proof White House ballroom with enhanced security, estimated to cost $600 million [10]. DOJ attorney Brett A. Shumate said, "The repeated assassination attempts and plots against President Trump and those around him demonstrate the National Security imperative for a bullet proof, drone proof Ballroom to protect the President ..." [10].
Public disclosure of the disrupted plot and the charges came on June 16, two days after the UFC event [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Court filings detailing the investigation are expected to be released soon as the case proceeds [1, 5].
