Federal Lawsuit Aims to Block UFC Event at the White House

NEW YORK — A federal lawsuit has been filed to halt a future UFC event planned for the South Lawn of the White House. This mixed martial arts showcase is set to align with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and is part of a national celebration for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

On Saturday, the Public Integrity Project submitted the lawsuit on behalf of two residents from Virginia. They argue that the Trump administration’s approval of the event, scheduled for June 14, is illegal. It contends that this approval breaches National Park Service regulations that ban sporting events in federal parks, and that Congress did not consent to the event. Notably, the towering structure overlooking the event space was constructed without undergoing an environmental review.

“This is effectively a commercial exploitation of one of our most revered national landmarks for personal benefit,” claimed Brendan Ballou, the attorney representing the plaintiffs. “This lawsuit is driven by those concerns.”

The White House responded, labeling the legal action as “obstructionist, baseless, and expansive.” They maintain that hosting the fight is akin to other events that take place on the South Lawn, which have received the proper permits throughout the year.

As of Sunday, the UFC had not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation.

Construction crews are currently working on building an octagonal cage on the South Lawn. President Trump mentioned that the completed project will feature a “5,000-seat arena” right outside the White House. Additionally, large screens will be set up in nearby Ellipse Park for broadcasting the fight, with UFC planning to distribute up to 85,000 free tickets for spectators at both locations.

The octagon and its adjacent structures are part of the broader construction initiatives ongoing at the White House under President Trump.