SouthernWorldwide.com – Officials from the Trump administration have responded sharply to critics of the planned UFC fight at the White House, suggesting that those opposed could simply choose not to attend rather than attempting to block a large audience through a last-minute lawsuit.
Attorneys from the Department of Justice stated in a court filing that it would be “easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend.” They further argued that the critics were seeking to use the power of a federal court to impose their personal preferences on the nation and disrupt an event intended to celebrate the United States.
Preparations for the UFC match have been ongoing for several weeks on the South Lawn of the White House. This included the erection of a substantial steel arch, approximately 90 feet tall, which has been referred to as “the claw.” A lawsuit was filed over the weekend by the Public Integrity Project on behalf of two residents of Virginia, aiming to prevent the event from taking place. In response, the government has urged U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta to dismiss the plaintiffs’ request.
The lawsuit names the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior as defendants. It seeks an emergency injunction to halt the event, which is anticipated to draw a crowd of 4,000 spectators to the White House grounds.
In their legal brief, DOJ attorneys highlighted that over $60 million has already been invested in the event. They also pointed out that attendees have made travel arrangements and the fighters are currently undergoing their final weight-cutting procedures.
The attorneys also emphasized that the event has been in the planning stages for months. President Trump had initially announced the match in July 2025, indicating a significant lead-up time.
A White House official commented that this event is comparable to other events hosted at the White House on the South Lawn, as well as other properly permitted events held on the Ellipse and National Mall throughout the year. The official suggested there was no fundamental difference in its nature or authorization.
The plaintiffs contended that the event would disrupt the areas around the White House and the National Mall. They also described the structure being erected for the event as “hideous.”
The plaintiffs’ argument included claims that organizers bypassed federal permitting regulations, omitted environmental reviews, and raised conflict-of-interest issues. These claims were based on National Park Service regulations and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). They also asserted that the construction of “the claw” required congressional approval.
In their rebuttal, officials stated that the plaintiffs are not obligated to watch the fight and that their personal opinions should not be considered superior to those who support the match.
The DOJ attorneys expressed concern that “all these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, however, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else.” This sentiment underscores the administration’s view of the lawsuit as an attempt to impose personal taste on a broader public event.
The plaintiffs are required to submit their final legal brief by 9 p.m. on Wednesday. This deadline sets the stage for the next phase of the legal proceedings concerning the White House UFC event.
