The movie revolves around John Cale (Channing Tatum), a Capitol Police officer who tries to sneak his daughter, Emily, into a restricted area of the White House. However, they get caught up in a terrorist takeover of the White House by a group of heavily armed mercenaries, led by Vladimir (Jason Clarke). The terrorists take President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) and others hostage, and Cale must use his skills to rescue them.