The FBI thwarted a potential attack on Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Tuesday morning. That threat involved the use of explosive-laden drones and snipers and, according to Vice President JD Vance, “some serious coordination.” “On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement posted on X. “And thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multistate operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold.” On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region – and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of… pic.twitter.com/PbWkIk1Lr5— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 16, 2026 Five people are said to be in custody, with the total number of suspects involved reportedly numbering 23. A suspect was arrested in Cincinnati, CBS News reported, and investigators obtained Signal chats where the terror plot was discussed, leading to further arrests. According to ABC News sources, some of those involved in the plot allegedly traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13, just an hour’s drive to Washington, D.C. The alleged plot involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, forcing a mass evacuation that would steer crowds toward a waiting sniper team. A “second wave” of attackers would then storm the White House gate. According to Fox News, one suspect allegedly told investigators the plotters the goal was to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians who received money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. President Donald Trump, at the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, said he had not heard about the planned attack. Vice President JD Vance said authorities were trying to look at the underground networks that would drive such violence. “Twenty-three people do not get to the point where they’re going to commit a mass terror incident in Washington, D.C., without some serious funding, without some serious coordination,” Vance said in a Fox News interview. “That’s not a few guys doing crazy stuff, that is a coordinated planned terrorist plot,” he said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” program. Reuters contributed to this report.