Two Virginia residents have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn. The June 14 fight is part of President Donald Trump’s America 250 commemorations. The complaint argues the event exceeds executive authority and improperly uses federal property for commercial gain.
The suit, filed Saturday by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of Vietnam War veteran Paul Romano and activist Susan Douglas, challenges the construction of a large-scale arena and related staging at sites including the Lincoln Memorial. It claims these steps require congressional approval and environmental review, which were not obtained. Plaintiffs contend the event is primarily a for-profit spectacle benefiting UFC leadership and Trump-aligned interests rather than a national celebration. They point to high-end sponsorship packages and Trump’s investment in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, as evidence of conflicts. Brendan Ballou, founder of the Public Integrity Project, described the plan as a “profoundly corrupt scheme.” A White House official called the lawsuit “obstructionist” and without merit, saying the programming aligns with prior national events. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta, who will first assess whether the plaintiffs have standing before considering an emergency injunction. A ruling is expected in the coming days as construction proceeds ahead of the scheduled date.
