Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump’s planned White House UFC match

A lawsuit has been filed by two Virginia residents seeking to halt a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match at the White House, scheduled for June 14. The plaintiffs argue that President Trump did not obtain proper authorization for the event, which they claim violates National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands. They also contend that Congress did not consent to the construction of a large arch for the event and that no environmental review was conducted. The lawsuit describes the event as a "private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain." The White House has dismissed the lawsuit as "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory," stating the event is comparable to other permitted White House gatherings. The fight is set to coincide with President Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

A federal lawsuit has been filed seeking to stop a UFC mixed martial arts fight scheduled for June 14 on the White House South Lawn. The Public Integrity Project, representing two Virginia residents, argues the Trump administration's approval of the event is unlawful. The lawsuit contends the event violates National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands, lacks Congressional consent for a planned arch, and proceeded without an environmental review. Plaintiffs describe the event as a "private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain." The White House has called the lawsuit an "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory" attempt to prevent the fight, stating it is similar to other permitted South Lawn events. Construction of a 5,000-seat arena and additional viewing areas is underway.