Washington: FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday that law enforcement disrupted “planned attacks” aimed at the UFC cage-fighting event held on the White House South Lawn for President Donald Trump’s birthday, and that several people are now in custody.
Patel wrote on X that the FBI became aware of the alleged plot on June 10, four days before the mixed martial arts showcase, and that swift, coordinated action by the FBI, partner agencies and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation led to mu
ltiple arrests and prevented the planned assaults. “and thanks to the rapid action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said.
A law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the information was not yet public said five people were taken into custody from states including Ohio, Missouri and California. Authorities have not immediately revealed the specifics of the threat; officials said further details would be provided when charges are unsealed later Tuesday.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency “worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.”
Trump, who celebrated his 80th birthday at the UFC event on Sunday, framed the fights as part of broader commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Évian-les-Bains, France, where he was attending the Group of Seven summit, Trump said he had not been briefed on the thwarted plot.