WASHINGTON — A federal lawsuit was filed seeking to block an upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled for the South Lawn of the White House, citing regulatory violations in the permitting and construction process.
The suit, filed on Saturday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of two Virginia residents, targets the UFC Freedom 250 card set for June 14. Plaintiffs argue the event, planned as part of celebrations for the nation’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday, lacks proper authorization under National Park Service rules.
The complaint alleges that the Department of the Interior and National Park Service violated federal regulations by allowing a private sporting event on federal parkland without congressional approval for construction and without conducting a required environmental review. An emergency application for a preliminary injunction was also filed.
"The event is neither for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence nor, crucially, being planned, organized, and executed by the federal government," according to the lawsuit.
Construction has already begun on the site, including a large steel arch structure, which plaintiffs contend required additional approvals. The suit names the National Park Service, Interior Department and other federal officials as defendants.
UFC officials and the White House have promoted the event as a highlight of the anniversary celebrations. UFC Chief Executive Dana White has described plans for the card, which includes weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial, but neither immediately responded to requests for comment on the litigation.
The lawsuit claims the permitting process improperly bypassed standard requirements for events on National Park Service land, including prohibitions on certain sporting activities. It further alleges the arrangement benefits private parties, including Trump, who has ties to UFC ownership.
Federal officials have utilized a temporary rule for America 250 events to facilitate planning, but plaintiffs contend the UFC card does not meet the criteria for such exceptions. Details regarding the full scope of construction permits and any internal reviews remain subject to court proceedings.
Similar challenges to large-scale events on federal property have occurred in the past, often focusing on compliance with environmental and land-use laws. The case highlights ongoing debates over the use of public spaces for high-profile private or mixed-purpose gatherings.
As of Tuesday, the event preparations continued while the court considers the emergency injunction request. No immediate ruling had been issued, and the status of the June 14 card remains uncertain pending further legal developments.
