FBI: Drone attack planned for Trump's birthday celebration

FBI Director Kash Patel says a plot to attack President Donald Trump's UFC event was foiled. Five people have been arrested.

2026-06-17T09:20:39.871Z

FBI: Drone attack planned for Trump's birthday celebration

FBI Director Kash Patel says a plot was being planned against President Donald Trump's UFC Freedom 250 event held Sunday. The agency received information about the alleged attack on June 10 and succeeded in stopping it.

The White House organized the fighting event to honor Trump's 80th birthday. According to Patel, the FBI thwarted the suspected assault.

Sources for CBS News and Fox News report the attack would have been carried out using explosive drones. In the first phase, the devices would have been flown into buildings. After that, snipers would have fired at fleeing crowds. Finally, a group would have stormed the White House gates.

Authorities learned of the plot after a concerned relative made a report. According to media reports, five people have been arrested and 23 identified as possible participants. Planning took place on the Signal messaging service.

Patel did not mention drones directly himself but shared a screenshot of Fox's news report.

Source: Iltalehti