FBI Thwarts Drone Plot Targeting White House UFC Event
The FBI disrupted an alleged plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, uncovering a sophisticated conspiracy involving explosive-laden drones, a pre-staged sniper team, and a planned second wave to storm the White House gate. Five people are in federal custody, and investigators have identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters, according to Fox News, which first reported the story.
The Plot
According to court documents unsealed on Tuesday, the alleged plan involved using drones packed with explosives to strike buildings near the event, forcing a mass evacuation that would steer fleeing crowds toward a sniper team. A “second wave” of attackers was then allegedly planned to storm the White House gate. The investigation, which stretched across at least 12 FBI field offices, uncovered Signal encrypted chat groups where members discussed targeting “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians who received donations from AIPAC.
FBI Director Kash Patel credited the rapid multi-state operation with stopping the attack. “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,” Patel said in a statement.
Key Suspects
The investigation began when the mother of 19-year-old Tycen Proper contacted authorities in Knox County, Ohio, on June 10, concerned about his behavior, online communications, and recent firearms purchases. Proper was arrested in Cincinnati and faces charges including conspiracy to commit an offense against the US, attempted murder of a federal officer, and firearm offenses. He allegedly spent $3,000 of his “graduation money” on weapons and equipment.
Two other suspects — Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas — were arrested in Riverside, California, and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Thomas has been identified as one of the alleged organizers. Additional arrests were made in Missouri and Nebraska. All suspects are American citizens, and authorities said no foreign nexus was involved.
According to the BBC, the group communicated through a TikTok group called “Vanguard of the Old” starting in March 2026 before moving to Signal, where approximately 19 people participated in a primary chat. Members expressed “ultra-religious and antigovernment sentiments” and claimed to be “ex-military” and “Christian-based.”
The Event: UFC Freedom 250
The UFC Freedom 250 was the first-ever fight night held at the White House, taking place on the South Lawn as part of President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday weekend and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Approximately 4,300 invite-only attendees watched 14 fighters compete in a temporary arena called “The Claw,” with another 85,000 watching from a fan zone on the Ellipse. The event cost UFC $60 million to produce.
Dana White’s Response
UFC CEO Dana White declared the White House event a “one-off” and said it will “never happen again,” citing weather concerns, logistical challenges of construction at federal landmarks, and soaring costs. “I can’t afford it,” White told reporters, as NPR reported. “I’ll never do the Sphere again and we’ll never do this again.”
Broader Security Context
The alleged plot comes amid a series of security incidents involving Trump and senior administration officials. Two months prior, a shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner where Trump was in attendance. One month ago, a man was killed by Secret Service after opening fire at a White House checkpoint. Rally gunfire and other threats against President Trump have continued to mount.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said his agency worked “around the clock” with the FBI. “In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Curran said in a statement.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn described the threat as “serious” and noted that suspects remain at large, with the investigation continuing.
Political Reaction
Vice President JD Vance, speaking on “FOX & Friends,” called the plot “very, very dark stuff” and linked it to heated political rhetoric. “This is what happens when people turn the rhetoric up so loud that disagreeing with somebody is a cause for violence,” Vance said. “We got to tell everybody to tone it down.”
President Trump, asked about the plot while attending the G7 summit in France, told reporters: “I haven’t heard about it, no, but the attack that I watched were the fighters.”
What’s Next
The investigation remains active, with federal authorities continuing to identify and locate additional suspects. Court proceedings are underway in California and Ohio, where the accused face charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder to attempted murder of a federal officer. The case underscores evolving domestic threat capabilities involving encrypted communications, drone technology, and coordinated multi-state planning — raising urgent questions about security protocols for large public events.