FBI Arrests Seven Suspects in Alleged Plot to Attack Trump's White House UFC Event

Federal authorities have arrested seven people in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out a violent attack on President Donald Trump's UFC event held at the White House on June 14. Two additional suspects—William Lee Spartacus Falkner of Belfair, Washington, and Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of Missouri—were arrested over the weekend and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, bringing the total number of federal defendants to seven. Law enforcement officials discovered and disrupted the plot approximately four days before the scheduled event after receiving a tip on June 10.

According to court documents, the investigation began when the mother of an Ohio man, 19-year-old Tycen Proper, contacted police due to concerns about his firearms purchases and online communications. Proper told investigators that the group sought to trigger a revolution and planned an elaborate attack involving explosive-laden drones that would be flown into the event, followed by shooters targeting panicked crowd members as they fled. The suspects recovered during the investigation included high-powered firearms and other weapons. Court records show approximately 20 participants shared encrypted messages, detailed maps, and aerial photographs of the White House South Lawn area, and discussed logistics including safe houses and escape routes.

Officials characterized the suspects as individuals who harbored fringe conspiracy theories and aimed to destabilize the government. The Justice Department previously announced federal charges against five individuals from Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. Prosecutors allege that Rincker distributed cash to conspiracy members and accepted weapons, a 3D printer, and other materials, though he claimed he did not actually intend to help construct drones. However, court records indicate uncertainty about how operationally capable the group would have been had law enforcement not intervened, with some suspects claiming they intended only to observe rather than participate in violence, and others noting the group was still seeking to acquire explosive drone equipment when the plot was disrupted.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in a news release: "Law enforcement continues to do what it does — move to disrupt and hold accountable those allegedly plotting to do harm on the White House Grounds on June 14." Neither Falkner nor Rincker has yet entered a plea, and legal representation for both defendants is still being arranged.