The FBI’s Washington Field Office issued a public warning Friday morning urging visitors to leave drones at home during Fourth of July celebrations in the nation’s capital, calling unauthorized drone activity a direct threat to public safety during one of the largest security operations in Washington’s history.
“Uncle Sam wants you to leave your drone at home,” the FBI Washington Field Office wrote on X. “Unauthorized drone activity threatens public safety, so if you plan to visit the district today to celebrate the Fourth of July, don’t bring your drone. If you see unauthorized drone activity in the city, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tell law enforcement officers stationed near you.”
The warning came as hundreds of thousands of visitors gathered on the National Mall for the Salute to America 250, a daylong celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, featuring military flyovers, a presidential address from Trump and what has been billed as the largest fireworks display in U.S. history.
“All of Washington, D.C. Is a No-Drone Zone”
“All of Washington, D.C., is a no-drone zone,” FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director Darren B. Cox said at a recent security briefing, according to The Washington Times. “Flying a drone anywhere in the District or near any of the events or any of the Freedom 250 celebrations is illegal and dangerous.”
Cox warned that drones caught flying in restricted airspace may be seized and that pilots can face arrest and fines of up to $100,000. The National Mall is subject to a 24-hour no-fly zone during America 250 events, with violators potentially facing arrest, fines and imprisonment.
The DC government’s official America 250 page also urges attendees who see suspicious drone activity to report it to 911, on-site law enforcement, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
A National Special Security Event
The Department of Homeland Security designated the July Fourth fireworks display on the National Mall as a National Special Security Event for the first time ever, bringing the highest level of federal security coordination to the celebration. The designation activates Secret Service leadership over a multi-agency operation involving the FBI, Metropolitan Police, U.S. Park Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the D.C. National Guard.
Visitors at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall faced airport-style screening, including ID checks, magnetometers, and bag searches. Road closures stretched from the Kennedy Center to the U.S. Capitol, with waterway restrictions enforced on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Tara McLeese said hundreds of federal agents and officers, including specialized tactical units, counter-drone teams, National Guard members and “additional unseen resources” were deployed across the holiday weekend.
Why Drones Are the Priority Concern
The drone warning carries added urgency after the FBI disrupted an alleged plot in June to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn using small explosive drones and snipers targeting President Trump and senior officials. Five people were charged in connection with the plot.
Washington already operates under the most restricted airspace of any U.S. city. Two law enforcement officials told CNN that the agencies headquartered in the capital — including DHS, the FBI and the Secret Service — have deployed some of the country’s most advanced counter-drone technology, including systems capable of seizing control of unauthorized drones or identifying their pilots remotely.
“Something could still happen,” one federal official involved in security planning told CNN. “But I think of all places to have that happen, DC is probably better — as well prepared as any place else, if not more so.”
What the Celebrations Look Like
The Salute to America 250 on the National Mall featured military flyovers scheduled every hour beginning in the afternoon, an evening program of performances, a rally address from Trump, and fireworks set to begin at 10 p.m., according to CNN. Reagan National Airport suspended all flights from noon July 4 through the following morning to accommodate the airshow and the scale of the celebration.
Cox said the FBI is using intelligence analysts to review, share and evaluate information about potential terrorist threats in real time throughout the event. “Our goal is very simple: for every resident and visitor to enjoy the celebration of America’s 250th birthday knowing that thousands of professionals have spent months preparing to keep them safe,” Cox said at a news conference this week. “At this time we are not tracking any credible threats related to the July 4th event, but we always remain vigilant.”