{"id":2617883,"date":"2026-06-23T15:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-defends-clearing-trumps-ufc-fight-with-alleged-plotters-on-the-loose\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T15:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:18:19","slug":"fbi-defends-clearing-trumps-ufc-fight-with-alleged-plotters-on-the-loose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-defends-clearing-trumps-ufc-fight-with-alleged-plotters-on-the-loose\/","title":{"rendered":"FBI defends clearing Trump&#8217;s UFC fight with alleged plotters on the loose"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffbi-defends-clearing-trumps-ufc-fight-with-alleged-plotters-on-the-loose%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2617883&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The FBI defended its decision to approve a UFC fight at the White House despite an alleged plot by nearly two dozen individuals to attack the event, including some who were still at large during the fight. FBI Deputy Director Chris Raia expressed confidence that the main plotters had been apprehended before the event, allowing officials to proceed safely. The FBI and Secret Service believed remaining suspects were not in the area at the time, based on surveillance. The examination began days before the fight, after FBI arrests linked to plans to attack using drones and snipers surfaced. Ultimately, 14 to 15 FBI field offices continue investigating, with more <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >arrests made afterward<\/a>. President Trump stated he was unaware of the plot prior to attending but joked about the threat. The event took place amid ongoing security concerns, with notable figures present and high-profile discussions about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-telling-congressional-staff-not-to-direct-people-to-kabul-airport-report\/\" title=\"State Department Telling Congressional Staff Not To Direct People To Kabul Airport: Report\">potential terrorist attacks<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI <\/a>defended on Monday its decision to approve the recent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ufc\/\">UFC <\/a>fight at the White House, which was held after investigators accused nearly two dozen people of plotting to attack the event, including several who were still at large when the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-thwarts-explosive-drone-attack-against-ufc-freedom-250-fight\/\" title=\"... thwarts explosive drone ... against ... ...\">historic cage match<\/a> was held.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FBI Deputy Director Chris Raia said he was confident the \u201cmain plotters\u201d accused of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4610138\/fbi-thwart-explosive-drone-attack-ufc-freedom-250-fight\/\">planning to attack the June fight<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-troops-stop-second-drone-attack-in-two-days\/\" title=\"U.S. Troops Stop Second Drone ... In Two Days\">explosive-laden drones<\/a> and snipers had been apprehended before it was held, making officials \u201cvery comfortable\u201d with approving the event to proceed on schedule, despite other suspects being on the loose.\u00a0In <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/fbi-reveals-why-trump-white-house-ufc-event-went-ahead-despite-alleged-terror-plot\">an interview<\/a> with Fox News Digital, Raia explained that the FBI and Secret Service made the decision to move forward with the UFC fight because they were surveilling the remaining suspects and believed none were in the Washington, D.C., area when the event was held.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4621118\/stephen-a-smith-dr-umar-austin-metcalf-knife\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Stephen A. Smith responds to Dr. Umar, who claimed Austin Metcalf fell on Karmelo Anthony\u2019s knife<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4620584\/monetizing-death-my-son-jeff-metcalf-blasts-activists-austin-murder\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018They\u2019re monetizing the death of my son\u2019: Jeff Metcalf blasts media and activists over Austin\u2019s murder<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4620466\/savannah-guthrie-plea-new-information-nancy-disappearance\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Savannah Guthrie renews plea for information about her mother: \u2018We are in agony\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe were confident that we had [arrested] the leaders, the main plotters of that, so the rest of the folks were more of the followers,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Raia said the case is far from closed, revealing that 14 to 15 FBI field offices are still assisting in the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to continue to work that case aggressively,\u201d he said. \u201cYou uncover one layer, and you see four more layers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The saga began just four days before the June 14 fight, which was attended by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump <\/a>and top Cabinet officials. FBI Director Kash Patel said he first learned of the conspiracy to sabotage tens of thousands attending the fight with explosive-laden drones and snipers on June 10. He said that prior to the fight, the FBI arrested five people in connection with the plot. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the search remained for others suspected of being tied to the potentially deadly mass attack on thousands gathered for the White House cage match. Days after the fight, the FBI <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/fbi-arrests-two-more-men-washington-and-missouri-connection-planned-attack-government\">announced it had arrested <\/a>two others in connection with the plot. William Lee Spartacus Falkner was arrested on June 19. Jordan\u00a0Rincker was arrested on June 21, a week after the fight was held. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FBI believes around 19 people were involved in a Signal chat discussing plans to attack the fight. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">President Donald Trump, at right wearing a white hat, congratulates Justin Gaethje after Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/06\/localimages\/AP26166188611758.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump, at right wearing a white hat, congratulates Justin Gaethje after Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump has said he was not informed about the alleged plot prior to attending the fight. However, the president made a dark joke about possibly being targeted by terrorists just before the fight, according to podcaster Joe Rogan, who was the master of ceremonies for the UFC event on the White House\u2019s South Lawn. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4537346\/former-presidents-unite-hopeful-message-america-250\/\"><strong>FOUR FORMER PRESIDENTS UNITE WITH HOPEFUL MESSAGE AHEAD OF AMERICA 250<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI said to Trump, I go, \u2018I hope we don\u2019t die in a terrorist attack,&#8217;\u201d Rogan said, recounting his fear of being attacked at the high-profile event. \u201cHe goes, \u2018We got to go somehow.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI go, \u2018What the f***, dude?&#8217;\u201d Rogan continued, laughing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FBI defends White House UFC fight amid plot threats<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2617884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26166086359438.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50645,41585,3646,3634,8095],"class_list":["post-2617883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fbi-2","tag-nationalsecurity","tag-security","tag-trump","tag-ufc"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26166086359438.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2617883"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2617887,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2617883\/revisions\/2617887"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2617884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2617883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2617883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2617883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}