A federal judge on Friday rejected a last-minute lawsuit seeking to block this weekend’s UFC championship fight on the White House South Lawn, clearing the way for the event to proceed as planned.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled the two plaintiffs had no legal standing to challenge the event. “Plaintiffs fall short of showing they are ‘directly affected’ by Defendants’ actions,” Mehta wrote in his 15-page ruling.
The plaintiffs, a political activist and a retired Air Force sergeant, were represented by the Public Integrity Project. They argued the event was “deeply corrupt” and claimed organizers bypassed required environmental and National Park Service permitting processes.
Mehta dismissed both plaintiffs as failing to demonstrate direct harm. He noted the sergeant’s proximity to the event would depend entirely on chance. “Only a serendipitous rideshare trip would place him in a position to see the Claw on the night of the fights,” the judge wrote.
“The court rightly rejected an untimely and frivolous effort to halt the historic UFC event hosted to honor the 250th anniversary of our Nation,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. “The White House is thankful for this correct decision and looks forward to hosting this once-in-a-lifetime celebration on the South Lawn.”
The Department of Justice argued in court filings that the plaintiffs filed too late, lacked standing, and that the event is lawful under special permitting exceptions tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The fight is scheduled for Saturday on a 92-foot-tall temporary octagon erected on the South Lawn. The event is timed to coincide with Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th birthday. A press conference and additional activities are planned at the Lincoln Memorial.
