Lawsuit Seeks to Block UFC Event at White House

WASHINGTON — A federal lawsuit filed late Saturday seeks to stop a UFC event scheduled for the South Lawn of the White House, arguing that organizers violated federal law by using public property for a privately run sporting event without required approvals.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the Public Integrity Project, asks the court to halt UFC Freedom 250, which is scheduled for June 14 and coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday. An emergency request for a preliminary injunction was filed early Sunday.

The suit alleges that the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service violated federal regulations by permitting the event and allowing construction of the UFC's planned "claw" stadium structure on federal parkland without congressional authorization. It also claims federal agencies failed to conduct an environmental review before undertaking what it describes as a major federal action affecting the environment.

"We think that this is a profound misuse of our sacred national monuments for private gain," said Brendan Ballou, lead attorney for the Public Integrity Project. "And we think that needs to be stopped because it breaks the law."

Ballou said he expects a ruling on the emergency injunction request this week.

A Trump administration official criticized the lawsuit in a statement Sunday, calling it "obstructionist, baseless, and dilatory" and arguing that the event is comparable to other White House-hosted activities and properly permitted gatherings on federal grounds.

Messages seeking comment from the UFC, the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and the Department of Justice were not immediately returned.

The UFC has scheduled a news conference Friday at the Lincoln Memorial, weigh-ins Saturday at the Ellipse and fights Sunday at the White House. The lawsuit challenges only the White House and Lincoln Memorial events, though it incorrectly states that the weigh-in will be held at the Lincoln Memorial.

According to the complaint, the event does not qualify for authorization under a temporary rule allowing special events tied to the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. The suit argues that UFC Freedom 250 is being organized and financed by the UFC rather than the federal government and serves as a celebration of the organization and Trump's birthday rather than American independence.

UFC CEO Dana White has said the event is intended to celebrate America's birthday and that the promotion plans to tell "the story of America" throughout the fight card. White has also said the UFC is paying for the event, which he estimated could cost as much as $60 million.

Ballou cited several financial concerns, including reported sponsorship packages, an exclusive streaming arrangement requiring a Paramount+ subscription, and potential advertising at the event venues.

The lawsuit also claims that no authorized semiquincentennial commission is planning or executing the event and contends that special events are generally not permitted at the Lincoln Memorial except for ceremonies honoring President Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

The complaint further alleges that construction of the planned claw structure on the South Lawn required congressional approval and should have undergone an environmental assessment. It is unclear whether such a review occurred.

Pete Dropick, the UFC's executive vice president of event development and operations, previously told ESPN that lawn restoration would be a significant expense covered by the UFC, estimating repair costs between $700,000 and $1 million. He said construction would not require digging into the White House grounds.