A federal lawsuit has been filed seeking to block an upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event scheduled for the White House South Lawn, marking the latest legal challenge to a high-profile project backed by President Donald Trump.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks a judge to halt the June 14 event while the case moves forward.
The White House has dismissed the lawsuit, with an administration official describing it as “obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory.”
Officials argue the event is being properly conducted and is no different from other activities that have been hosted on White House grounds or permitted on federal property throughout the year.
The lawsuit was filed by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of Virginia residents Paul Romano, a Vietnam War veteran, and Susan Douglas, a longtime civic activist.
The plaintiffs contend that federal agencies violated multiple laws and regulations when approving the UFC event, which Trump has promoted as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
According to the complaint, the administration improperly authorized a sporting event on federal parkland and failed to satisfy legal requirements tied to construction activities associated with the event.
The plaintiffs are seeking emergency court intervention before the scheduled fight card takes place.
One of the central disputes involves a massive steel structure known as “The Claw,” which has been erected on the South Lawn ahead of the event.
The plaintiffs argue that congressional authorization was required before the structure could be installed on federal property.
The complaint states the structure stands roughly 92 feet tall and weighs approximately 600 tons.
The lawsuit also alleges that federal officials failed to conduct a required environmental review before construction and related preparations began.
According to the filing, restoration and environmental impacts should have been evaluated before work proceeded.
The administration has not publicly indicated that such concerns would prevent the event from moving forward.
Preparations for UFC Freedom 250 have continued in recent weeks. Trump has said the project will feature a 5,000-seat arena on the South Lawn, while additional viewing areas are expected to be established nearby.
UFC officials have also discussed accommodating large crowds through free ticket distribution and public viewing locations. according to Politico.
The complaint further challenges plans for ceremonial fighter weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial.
Plaintiffs argue that federal officials exceeded their authority by allowing portions of the event to be held at national landmarks.
Administration officials have not indicated any plans to cancel those activities.
Romano said the Lincoln Memorial should not be used as the backdrop for a commercial sporting event.
“I served in Vietnam. I’ve been to the Wall and seen the names of my childhood friends who stood the watch and gave their all,” Romano said. “The Lincoln Memorial is sacred ground, and it honors everyone who has ever worn this country’s uniform. Using it as a backdrop for a for-profit cage fight so the President and his friends can make money is a desecration.”
Douglas also criticized the administration’s handling of the event.
“The President arranged to hand two of America’s most cherished monuments to a private corporation so he and his allies could profit from them. That is corruption,” Douglas said. “These monuments belong to all of us Americans, not to Dana White, not to advertisers like Crypto.com, and not to Donald Trump.”
Brendan Ballou, founder of the Public Integrity Project, said the lawsuit is intended to stop what he described as an improper use of federal property.
“This is a profoundly corrupt scheme to enrich the President and his friends,” Ballou said. “If this fight is allowed to proceed, it will be only the beginning, and our national monuments will become little more than branding opportunities for the rich and well-connected. We plan to stop that.”
The court is expected to consider the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order before the June 14 event date.
If the request is denied, UFC Freedom 250 is expected to proceed as planned as part of the administration’s broader celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
