Eight Charged in White House UFC Plot Targeting Trump, 4,300 Attended Event
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Eight Charged in White House UFC Plot Targeting Trump, 4,300 Attended Event
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Summary
Eight men ages 19 to 32 were charged with terrorism and murder-conspiracy counts over an alleged plan to attack the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
Prosecutors say the group planned explosive-laden drone strikes on nearby buildings, gunfire at high-value targets, and a second wave through the White House gate to trigger panic and funnel crowds toward snipers.
Tycen J Proper's mother alerted authorities on June 10 after seeing large firearms purchases and online messages; the FBI says Proper later admitted helping plan an attack meant to "jumpstart a revolution."
Court filings say potential targets included Donald Trump, JD Vance, Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk, though not all attended the invite-only South Lawn event attended by about 4,300 people.
The alleged network communicated from March across Signal, TikTok, Instagram and Discord, with members spread from California to Nebraska; a ninth man separately faces obstruction after allegedly deleting Signal evidence.
How did a few young men and commercial drones become a major national security threat?
With attack drones now easily accessible, can large public events ever be truly secure?
How Federal Authorities Stopped a Multi-State Drone Attack Plot on UFC Freedom 250 at the White House: Eight Charged with Terrorism and Murder
Overview
In July 2026, federal authorities indicted eight men after uncovering a major plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, targeting President Trump and Vice President Vance. The conspiracy, which involved snipers and explosive-laden drones, was disrupted just days before the event thanks to a rapid, multi-state law enforcement response. Key arrests, including Tycen C. Proper and Chandler D. Scaggs, revealed the plotters’ determination and sophisticated planning. The investigation highlighted the growing threat of technology in attacks and underscored the need for improved security, coordination, and counter-drone strategies at high-profile public events.