(The Center Square) – The FBI foiled a plot set to disrupt Sunday's UFC fight on the grounds of the White House, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday.Â
Patel said federal officials first learned of the plan on June 10. The alleged plot involved using drones with attached explosives to hit buildings near the event, prompting a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a group of snipers.Â
Investigators uncovered a Signal chat with at least 23 users discussing plans for the alleged attack. Individuals from multiple states participated in planning the event, FBI officials said.Â
Patel said "multiple individuals" were in custody in relation to the foiled attack. Investigators told Fox News five individuals were in custody as of Monday.Â
One suspect was taken into custody in Cincinatti, federal officials said. The White House UFC event was set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independene. The event also occurred on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.Â
"We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens – particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight," Patel said on social media.Â
Trump said he was not aware of the foiled plot when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
"I haven't heard about it," Trump said.
Vice President JD Vance spoke on Tuesday morning about the planned attack to Fox News. He said harsh political rhetoric led to the alleged plan and called for more civility.Â
"We got to tell everybody to tone it down," Vance said. "I think a lot of my Democratic colleagues in Washington have got to look themselves in the mirror and say, 'why is so much of this political violence coming from our side of the spectrum?'"
Patel thanked the FBI, Secret Service and Department of Justice for acting quickly to respond and prevent the planned attack.Â
"I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted," Patel said.Â
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Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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