UFC Event at the White House: Judge Denies Request to Halt it
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has turned down a request from two Virginia residents seeking to stop the upcoming UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House this Sunday.
The case was brought forth by activist Susan Douglas and Vietnam veteran Paul Romano, who argue against the use of the White House and Lincoln Memorial for the fighting event. They contend that the matches do not align with federal regulations and contradict the patriotic image that President Donald Trump and UFC head Dana White have promoted in the lead-up to the event.
Douglas and Romano referred to the event as a “volcano of corruption,” suggesting it will be a significant moment in American history. They worry that the images created will not be viewed positively in the future.
“The event is neither ‘for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence’ nor, crucially, being ‘planned, organized, and executed’ by the federal government,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers stated in their court documents.
In defense of the event, the Department of Justice (DOJ) countered that the temporary structures are common on White House grounds for various events and that no one has previously suggested that Congress needs to approve every temporary setup, such as concert tents or Easter egg roll kiosks.
Joshua Fisher, Director of the White House Office of Administration, provided a sworn statement asserting that the UFC is responsible for all costs related to production, labor, construction, and promotion. The federal government’s contributions will include emergency services like first aid, law enforcement, and security, as well as large quantities of food for the expected guests—around 4,000 on the South Lawn and more than 120,000 at the Ellipse.
The DOJ further highlighted that the authorization for the event is completely legal and pointed out the long-standing tradition of outdoor gatherings at the White House. Examples include the Easter Egg Roll, National Christmas Tree Lighting, state dinners, the Congressional Picnic, and even a concert by Elton John in 2022.
