© picture alliance / Newscom | Kent Nishimura
According to the American television network Fox News, the FBI has foiled a potential terrorist attack during last Sunday’s UFC cage-fighting show at the White House. Five people have since been arrested. FBI Director Patel also reported the news on social media.
To celebrate U.S. President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, a cage fight was organized on Sunday on the South Lawn of the White House. Fox News reports that the FBI has arrested five people who may have been planning an attack on the event.
According to the FBI, the suspects planned to attack buildings near the White House using drones carrying explosives. According to the plan, snipers were to take advantage of the panic among the more than 4,000 guests at the event and open fire on them. The White House was also to be stormed by the terrorists.
Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, reported the news about the potential attack in a post on X: “On June 10, the FBI and our law enforcement partners learned of a potential threat against the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C., involving individuals from outside the capital. Thanks to the swift action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several individuals have now been arrested and the alleged attacks have been thwarted."
"While the outcome represented the best of investigative work, it was also business as usual for this law enforcement team; we are committed to identifying, responding to, and bringing to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens, particularly during major events such as the historic UFC 250 fight. That is exactly what we have done here,” Patel continued. “I want to thank our outstanding agents and partners; this work continues, and we will continue to keep the public informed to the extent permitted.”
According to U.S. media reports, 23 people were allegedly involved in the plot. Little is known about their motives at this time. According to Fox Digital, one of the suspects reportedly told investigators that they were targeting the “capitalist elite” and “billionaires.”
Picture: © picture alliance / Newscom | Kent Nishimura