FBI director’s post on foiled UFC plot may harm probe, law enforcement sources say

Justice DepartmentFBI director’s post on foiled UFC plot may harm probe, law enforcement sources sayKash Patel took to social media to claim credit for an investigation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies, frustrating the Secret Service, officials say.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleFBI says plot to attack White House during UFC event foiled02:11Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 17, 2026, 3:04 PM EDTBy Kelly O'Donnell and Ryan J. ReillyOver the course of several days, federal law enforcement quietly made arrests in a foiled plot to attack the UFC fights at the White House, but were keeping a lid on the details because the investigation was still ongoing, according to two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Then FBI Director Kash Patel posted details of the arrests online on Tuesday, claiming FBI credit for the investigation with a nod to “law enforcement partners” that helped. It took some federal law enforcement officials by surprise, in part because authorities were still working to take suspects into custody in the sprawling investigation into more than two dozen people on an encrypted chat, according to three law enforcement officials. Some of the suspects in the alleged plot spoke of flying drones laden with explosives onto the South Lawn and then shooting at the fleeing attendees, according to law enforcement. The Ultimate Fighting Championship event was in honor of America’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. Law enforcement officials worried that news of the arrests would spook the suspects, the officials said. On Monday, federal prosecutors had asked a judge to seal a case. One law enforcement official was “shocked” by the public disclosure and worried it could hinder the ongoing probe. The official said...