Workers continue constructing the stage for an upcoming UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP Photo/Cliff Owen
The Department of Justice on Tuesday implored a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit aiming to halt the White House’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled for this weekend, criticizing its complainants as “two individuals who feel they possess superior judgment and wish to ruin the event for all others.”
In a submission Tuesday evening, the department asserted that the legal challenge initiated by two Virginia residents lacks any justifiable basis, while characterizing the timing of the filing as “unacceptable” considering the event was initially announced nearly a year prior.
“It would be quite simple for them to merely look away for the weekend. Instead, they aim to leverage the authority of a federal court to impose their peculiar preferences on the nation and sabotage an occasion intended to honor the United States of America,” stated the department. “No one is forcing the plaintiffs into a jiu jitsu hold, compelling them to witness UFC Freedom 250 against their will. The public interest does not support allowing them to exercise a heckler’s veto, especially at this late juncture.”
Workers continue building the stage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2026.Cliff Owen/AP Photo/Cliff Owen
In a lawsuit filed this past weekend, the Public Integrity Project—representing a political activist and a Vietnam veteran—contended that the event was improperly authorized, bypassed an environmental assessment, and constitutes an unusual use of public grounds to favor President Donald Trump and his associates.
Describing the event as “profoundly compromised,” the lawsuit alleged that the Trump administration improperly utilized a temporary provision for “America 250” to circumvent the usual permitting procedures required for hosting events on National Park Service property. They argue that since the event is being organized by a private entity, not the federal government, and is not specifically designated “for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” the fight does not qualify for this temporary rule.
In its filing, the Trump administration characterized the UFC fight as “one of the most eagerly awaited occasions” within a series of events designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, at one point drawing a parallel to the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn and the Congressional Picnic.
The arena for the upcoming UFC match on the South Lawn is seen as workers setup the Rose Garden for an evening event at the White House on June 3, 2026 in Washington, DC.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Concurrently, the filing underscores the exceptional cooperation between the government and the UFC in preparing for the event, citing “well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor” that “have been invested” to bring it to fruition.
“More than 4,000 spectators are anticipated to attend on the South Lawn, including over 1,000 members of our armed forces, and more than 120,000 visitors are expected to watch from the adjacent Ellipse after securing complimentary tickets through a lottery,” the filing stated. “Fourteen world-class athletes, who have been in training for months, have journeyed from across the globe to compete (including for two world championships).”
Construction continues on a temporary arena that will host the UFC Freedom 250 fight card at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 9, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueKevin Lamarque/Reuters
The filing went on to say: “All these aspirations could be thwarted at the very last moment, however, by the caprice of two individuals who believe they possess superior taste and desire to spoil the event for everyone else.”
The government has notified the judge overseeing the case, Amit Mehta, that legal counsel will be available on Thursday should he wish to schedule oral arguments.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com