The Trump administration on Tuesday pressed a federal judge to reject a lawsuit from two Virginia residents seeking to block a UFC fight scheduled on the South Lawn of the White House, arguing that the event is too far along to cancel. In a court filing, the Justice Department emphasized that the June 14 mixed-martial arts showcase has been in planning since President Trump announced it last summer, with over $60 million already spent, thousands of spectators expected, and more than a dozen fighters in training.
“All these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, however, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else,” DOJ attorneys wrote in the filing, pushing back against what they described as a last-minute attempt to derail the celebration.
The lawsuit, filed last weekend by a political activist and a retired Air Force sergeant, targets the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior. The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop what they call a “deeply corrupt” UFC match, arguing that the administration failed to follow environmental review and congressional approval requirements. The administration has countered that it does not need a traditional permit for the event because it is part of the official celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary, and that the plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed on their legal claims.
“It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend,” the DOJ filing continued. “Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America.”
The event, which falls on Trump’s 80th birthday, will feature six prime-time bouts in a 92-foot-tall temporary Octagon erected on the White House lawn. Weigh-ins are scheduled at the nearby Lincoln Memorial. The Justice Department described the fight night as “one of the most highly anticipated events” commemorating the U.S. semi-quincentennial, comparing it to other White House public events like the Easter Egg Roll.
Trump has maintained a close relationship with UFC President and CEO Dana White, frequently attending fights during his presidency. “I’ve been involved in a lot of big events, I have never had an event that has had more interest than the UFC fight we have right at the front door,” Trump recently told reporters in the Oval Office.
The legal challenge comes amid broader scrutiny of Trump’s use of federal properties and funds. In a related development, Senate Democrats, led by Adam Schiff, have launched an investigation into the use of park fees for Trump’s D.C. projects, raising questions about the administration’s handling of public resources. Additionally, medical experts have publicly warned of Trump’s rapid decline, urging 25th Amendment action, adding to the political turmoil surrounding the event.
With the court date looming and the event just days away, the administration is racing to secure a legal victory that would allow the UFC fight to proceed as planned, despite the growing chorus of objections from critics and activists.
