Speculations are high over the White House’s current security protocol, following allegations of a coordinated terrorist plot targeting Donald Trump’s residence and the surrounding area on the day of the mega UFC event on June 14.
Federal authorities said they disrupted an alleged mass-casualty plot that was reportedly aimed at the UFC Freedom 250 event, with suspects accused of planning explosive drone attacks and sniper fire against the White House crowd.
The White House UFC event and the proposed ballroom have become central to a national security debate after a foiled attack plot
According to OK Magazine, the alleged attacks have spurred a separate debate about existing security controls and added further debate over Trump’s proposed ballroom project, which supporters argue could improve security measures for major events, slated to be a permanent, state-of-the-art venue for official events and large gatherings, replacing the temporary tents traditionally used on the South Lawn.
Brett Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s civil division, has argued in favor of the construction, saying that the alleged conspiracy plot “demonstrates the compelling need” for the project. Shumate also added that the “mass and height will shield the White House grounds from attack, and give the Secret Service the visibility needed to identify attackers.”
The Justice Department argued in court that the ballroom could include advanced security features, including systems designed to help counter potential threats. Speaking in support of the ballroom construction, they told the court that the ballroom would support a “highly sophisticated drone port and sniper nests atop the ballroom that would destroy any effort to launch such an attack.”
The alleged attacks planned to use explosive-laden drones and sniper fire to create panic among thousands of spectators before attacking fleeing crowds. The FBI arrested multiple suspects across several states after receiving a tip that helped disrupt the operation before it could be carried out.
DO YOU THINK THAT THE BALLROOM PROJECT WILL MEANINGFULLY CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL SECURITY?
