The White House was the target this time, but every outdoor stadium is at risk

The first thing that crossed my mind when I read about the alleged drone plot targeting last week’s UFC event in Washington was not politics. It was MetLife Stadium. 

That may sound like a strange leap.  

One event took place on the South Lawn of the White House. The other is hosting World Cup matches in northern New Jersey. They have different organizers, different security teams, different jurisdictions, and different challenges. 

But they have one thing in common: Both involve putting a very large number of people in a very public place and hoping that everyone who wants to attend comes for the right reasons. 

The reports out of Washington were unsettling. Federal authorities say they disrupted an alleged plan involving explosive drones before the UFC event took place. According to those reports, the idea was not simply to damage property. The alleged objective was to create confusion, force people to move, and exploit the chaos that followed. 

Whether every detail proves accurate is ultimately for investigators and prosecutors to determine. But the broader point does not depend on the outcome of any criminal case. Somebody looked at a major public event and apparently saw opportunity. 

That should get people’s attention. 

A few days ago, I........

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