The thwarted drone attack targeting the UFC fight at the White House over the weekend is a stark example of how the threat in the United States is very much one for the present and not just the future.The FBI announced on Tuesday morning it made five arrests in connection to an alleged drone attack plot targeting the fight, and on one of the suspects’ phones, authorities found at least 23 Signal users involved in discussing parameters of what could have been a devastating terrorist attack.The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation, and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team, while a “second wave” was then allegedly planning to storm the White House gate, according to officials.
“I have been warning about, certainly not just me, but a number of people who have been in the space, this just not a future threat of drones, [it’s] the now threat of drones,” former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on Fox News on Tuesday. “This technology is evolving on probably weekly, if not monthly cycles now. People looking to commit malicious acts, terrorists and others, haven’t picked up on this. It’s cheap. It’s very difficult to defeat.”
