An alleged plot directed against the event UFC Freedom 250 from last weekend in Washington DC, was dismantled by FBIas reported Fox News Digital. Five people were arrested last week in relation to this possible attack and the number could increase, since the FBI identified 23 people as part of what they described as a possible network of conspirators.
According to authorities, the alleged plan consisted of use drones loaded with explosives to attack buildings near the eventcause a mass evacuation and direct the crowd towards a previously posted sniper team. A second phaseaccording to Fox News, contemplated the assault on the door of the White House.
The FBI had knowledge of the threat on June 10 (Wednesday) and obtained enough evidence to make a first arrest in Cincinnati then. Later, researchers discovered conversations on Signal (a messaging and calling app) in which several people were allegedly discussing attacks on the UFC event. An initial analysis of one of the suspects’ iPhone revealed that at least 23 Signal users had conversations about activities prior to the operationas revealed by the FBI.
Some participants reportedly planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack. According to Fox, one of the suspects reportedly told investigators that the objective was to attack the “capitalist elites”, the “billionaires” or the politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The investigation was carried out by at least 12 FBI regional offices. FBI Director Kash Patel has recognized the great work of all security forces to stop this alleged plot. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Patel said: “Thanks to the swift action of the FBI, our partners and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several people are now in custody and the allegedly planned attacks were thwarted”.
About 4,300 attendees with access to the octagon area attended the UFC event, including about 1,200 active military personnelthe president donald trumpthe vice president J.D. VanceSecretary of State Marco Rubio, FBI Director Kash Patel or the billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. Nearby, a large ‘fan zone’ so that up to 85,000 spectators could gather to follow the fights.
The alleged plot was aimed UFC Freedom 250a high-profile event that was going to bring together numerous personalities on the south lawn of the White House as part of President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday weekend and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was an event in which security was maximum, not only on the day of the event, but long before.
