All 78 World Cup matches have counter-drone technology: White House official
As new details emerge about the alleged plan for a drone attack at the UFC 250 event at the White House, another potential target could be FIFA World Cup matches happening across the United States, according to law enforcement sources.
Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House World Cup Task Force, told ABC News that all 78 World Cup matches happening in the U.S. will have counter-drone technology.
"All 78 of the matches in the United States of America have counter drone mitigation protection, and every fan fest, one fan fest in every single city throughout the duration of the World Cup will have counter-drone mitigation coverage," according to Giuliani.
Counter drone capabilities include jamming the drone so it stops moving and comes down from the sky, among other measures.
Giuliani said work was done starting last year to help educate local police departments about the drone threat, and that recently enacted legislation allowed those local departments "to be able to press the button to mitigate drones." He said the legislation allowed local police departments to be trained by the FBI in counter-drone measures.
Andrew Giuliani, who is the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, credited President Donald Trump with putting the measures in place.
The FBI in Miami and Atlanta already seized a combined 35 recreational drones near World Cup venues, according to social media posts from those bureaus.
"You're welcome, drones are not welcome ... so don't fly your drones," Andrew Giuliani said.
The FBI disrupted the alleged plot targeting the "UFC Freedom 250" fights at the White House Sunday that included explosive drones designed to target buildings in the area, according to court documents.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to ABC News that law enforcement became aware of the UFC drone plot on June 10, the Wednesday prior to the event. He praised the "rapid action" of the FBI and its partners, including a "a multi-state operation."
Five people are in custody in the thwarted drone plot as of Tuesday morning, according to court documents.
