Terrorism charges have been brought against eight individuals accused of plotting to assassinate prominent figures and government leaders, notably including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and entrepreneur Elon Musk. This foiled scheme was allegedly targeted at the UFC Freedom 250 event, which took place at the White House last month.
On Thursday, all eight defendants were jointly charged through a two-count indictment issued in Ohio.
According to the indictment, these individuals are accused of conspiring to provide material assistance to terrorists, planning to commit murder on federally-controlled land, and intending to assassinate federal officials, as outlined by the Justice Department.
The UFC Freedom 250 fights were hosted on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department revealed on Thursday that the eight men are facing terrorism charges due to the unsuccessful attempt to execute attacks during the event, aiming to eliminate government leaders. (Getty Images)
Just days before the fighting event, on June 10, law enforcement officials detected a potential threat. Seven suspects were apprehended swiftly at various locations across the United States.
The eighth suspect, who was allegedly designated to participate as a sniper during the attack, was arrested this week by the FBI in West Virginia.
The indictment stems from an initial investigation and criminal complaint filed against Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio. The other defendants are Michael Alan Thomas, 32; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32; Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31; Jordan W. Rincker, 28; Bryan Omar Roa, 25; William Lee Spartacus Falkner, 21; and Chandler D. Scaggs, 21.
President Donald J. Trump and UFC President Dana White watch the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2026. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The plot allegedly began in May when the defendants started amassing money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical supplies and communications equipment.
Federal prosecutors said Scaggs was originally supposed to be picked up by Proper to travel to Washington, D.C.
However, even after Proper was arrested, Scaggs indicated to the group that he was still willing to participate in the attack and made new plans for another co-conspirator to pick him up.
The suspects coordinated online through an encrypted Signal chat, Discord, and a TikTok group called “Vanguard of the Old,” authorities said.
The group held fringe anti-government conspiracy theories and expressed a desire to “tear down” the United States so it could be rebuilt, prosecutors noted.