FBI Thwarts Planned Attack on White House UFC Event

Law enforcement officials prevented a planned attack targeting a UFC event at the White House last weekend, as revealed in unsealed court documents on Tuesday. The plot involved disgruntled individuals who discussed using explosives-laden drones and shooting at crowds during a potential evacuation.

The FBI intercepted encrypted texts between about 20 participants, who shared maps and discussed escape strategies. These messages highlighted the need for a ‘safe house’ and planning for after the attack. It’s unclear how close the attackers came to executing their plan before it was stopped.

On June 10, days before the mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House, FBI agents discovered the plot. ‘Thanks to swift action by the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice, several individuals are in custody, and the planned attacks were averted,’ FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a post on X.

Five individuals were arrested in several states, including Ohio, Missouri, and California. These arrests were disclosed by a law enforcement official on the condition of anonymity, as the information had not yet been made public.

Among those arrested was 19-year-old Tycen Proper from Ohio. His mother contacted local authorities due to concerns about his firearms purchases and online communications. Proper faces firearms offenses and charges, including attempted murder of a U.S. officer or employee. He admitted to planning an attack during an interview with law enforcement.

Group members began communicating on TikTok through a chat called “Vanguard of the Old”, expressing discontent with the country’s direction. Some aspired to dismantle and rebuild the U.S. Others opposed those involved with Jeffrey Epstein as national leaders. Proper’s texts discussed targeting certain lawmakers because of their support for Israel.

Proper planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, with weapons and body armor for a meet-up with other members. Although he claimed no intention to shoot at the White House, he stated others did. The plot included using drones over the White House’s north side to cause an evacuation into sniper fire, aiming to incite a revolution.

President Donald Trump, attending the UFC event for his 80th birthday, was not briefed on the thwarted plot, as he was attending the Group of Seven summit in France on the day of the announcement.