The FBI arrested five people across four states in connection with an alleged plot targeting President Trump's planned White House UFC event, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Officials said law enforcement disrupted the threat after learning of suspicious activity on June 10. The arrests occurred in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California.
A criminal complaint alleges that one suspect used coded language in encrypted chats to describe targets investigators believe were likely Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another suspect appeared to have identified elected officials including several Republican senators and House members from West Virginia and Tennessee.
The arrests come amid heightened concern over political violence in the U.S., following several previous attempts on Trump's life. The most recent included a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Law enforcement agencies have been grappling with an uptick in threats against public figures.
FBI Director Patel credited rapid coordination between federal agents and local partners for the swift action. "Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI," he wrote on X, without providing further operational details. The suspects are expected to face federal charges in the coming days.
It remains unclear whether the alleged plot involved specific tactical plans or weapons. Legal experts say the use of encrypted communications and coded terms could complicate the prosecution's case, depending on how directly the chats referenced violent action.