WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal officials have charged multiple individuals who they claim discussed plots to attack the UFC fight night event at the White House, including by using drones and a gunman, according to criminal complaints unsealed on Tuesday.
A team including the Secret Service and FBI uncovered messages discussing the plot between multiple individuals, according to criminal complaints against five people unsealed Tuesday. The investigation revealed that the alleged plotters intended to use explosives-laden drones to strike buildings near the event, create panic, and force a mass evacuation before a sniper team attacked fleeing crowds.
According to a criminal complaint against one of the alleged plotters, the mother of one of the defendants — 19-year-old Tycen Proper of Ohio — called local police on June 10, saying she was “concerned about her son” because of his recent conduct, which included buying guns and communicating with a group of radicals online. Her call initiated a chain of events that led to Proper’s arrest and the disruption of the alleged plot.
Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear at his home, and identified potential targets, including multiple members of Congress. The FBI obtained encrypted text messages between roughly 20 participants who shared detailed maps of the area and discussed the need for a “safe house” and escape routes following the attack.
The Department of Justice announced charges against five men, including Proper, who was arrested on June 10 after his mother contacted law enforcement. The FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency became aware of a potential threat on June 10, four days before the “UFC Freedom 250” mixed martial arts extravaganza held on the South Lawn.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed that his agency led the investigation from the beginning and described the threat as “serious” and “unique due to the numbers involved, the level of planning involved.” Curran stated that while the event, which drew approximately 4,300 VIPs and 85,000 fans at the nearby Ellipse, was “never at risk,” the investigation spanned at least 12 FBI field offices.
One suspect told investigators the goal was to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires,” and politicians who had received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group. The alleged plotters discussed using drones to hit buildings near the event, creating panic and forcing a mass evacuation, followed by a sniper team positioned to attack “high-value targets,” and a second wave of attackers who would storm the White House gates.
The unprecedented UFC event on the White House grounds coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday and the kickoff of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence. Vice President JD Vance, who also attended, described it as a “coordinated planned terrorist plot” and accused Democrats of fomenting violence with anti-Trump rhetoric.
Trump, speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France, said he had not been briefed on the thwarted plot. As the investigation continues, federal officials have indicated that charges are expected to be unsealed and that they will provide updates as permitted.
