Eight indicted in thwarted plot against UFC event at White House
Eight indicted for plot to attack UFC event targeting Trump and other officials; event occurred safely.
Event / Conflict
UFC Freedom 250 Attack Plot
Eight men indicted for conspiracy to attack UFC Freedom 250 event at White House on June 14, 2026. Alleged plot involved explosive drones and snipers targeting President Trump, VP Vance, Elon Musk, and Israeli PM Netanyahu. Attack prevented after discovery on June 10.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Jul, 03:29 UTC
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What happened
Eight men indicted in alleged plot to attack UFC Freedom 250 event at White House
A federal grand jury in Columbus, Ohio indicted eight men on July 9 for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to attack UFC Freedom 250, a mixed martial arts event held on June 14 at the White House. The defendants, aged 19 to 32 and spread across six states, were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.
Alleged plotters targeted President Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials
The indictment alleges the group plotted beginning in May 2026 to kill President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, billionaire Elon Musk, and other guests and elected officials including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UFC Freedom 250 event. Netanyahu did not attend the event.
UFC Freedom 250 event held without incident at White House on June 14
The UFC Freedom 250 mixed martial arts event was held on June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House on President Trump's 80th birthday. The event was attended by President Trump, senior Republican lawmakers, donors, and administration officials to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The event proceeded without incident after law enforcement thwarted the alleged terrorist plot.
Eight defendants face up to life imprisonment if convicted
If convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, the defendants face up to 15 years in prison. If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory or conspiracy to murder a federal government official, they face potential life sentences.
Alleged plotters planned to use drones and snipers to attack UFC event attendees
According to charging documents, the conspirators allegedly planned to fly small drones laden with explosives near the UFC Freedom 250 event to force an evacuation, then shoot at attendees as they fled toward pre-stationed snipers. The group conspired to stockpile money, guns, medical equipment, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, and communications equipment in preparation for the attack.
Initial arrest of Ohio man led to nationwide terrorism investigation
Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio was initially arrested after his mother called police about his amassing of firearms and troubling online conversations. Proper's arrest triggered a nationwide investigation that led to the arrest of additional suspects across six states. Proper was also one of the alleged co-conspirators who planned to drive Chandler Scaggs to Washington D.C. for the attack.
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