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

A legal challenge has been mounted to prevent a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match from taking place at the White House on June 14. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of two Virginia residents, marks the first known legal opposition to the mixed martial arts event.

“

This is fundamentally a private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain. And that is what is motivating this lawsuit.

The plaintiffs contend that President Donald Trump has not obtained the necessary authorization for the fight. Their legal filing asserts that the event violates U.S. National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands. Furthermore, they claim Congress has not consented to the construction of a viewing structure overlooking the event space, and no environmental review was conducted prior to its erection.

Brendan Ballou, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, described the event as a "private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain." He stated this motivation is central to the lawsuit. The event is slated to coincide with President Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“

obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory

The White House has refuted the lawsuit, labeling it "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory." A statement from the White House asserted that the UFC fight is "no different than the various other White House-hosted events on the South Lawn and properly permitted events on the Ellipse and National Mall throughout the year." Crews are currently constructing an octagon-shaped fighting cage on the South Lawn, with Trump indicating plans for a "5,000-seat arena right outside the front door of the White House."

“

no different than the various other White House-hosted events on the South Lawn and properly permitted events on the Ellipse and National Mall throughout the year