Government Says UFC Freedom 250 at White House Violates No Laws

Federal attorneys argue the Department of Interior and National Park Service broke no laws in permitting UFC Freedom 250 to take place on the White House South Lawn this Sunday, according to a government filing responding to an emergency injunction request.

The Public Integrity Project filed suit last week in Washington, D.C. federal court seeking to halt the event, alleging violations of federal law. The plaintiffs claimed the government organized a private sporting event on public land without congressional approval for the UFC's structures and without completing an environmental review before constructing the promotion's temporary stadium. Per ESPN's Michael Rothstein, the government disputed each allegation and countered that blocking the event would cause undue harm given the more than $60 million spent and tens of thousands of labor hours invested.

DOJ Defends UFC Event as Patriotic Celebration

"This is a desperate last-ditch attempt to attack the celebration of America's 250th Birthday by people who hate fun," Department of Justice senior media affairs manager Natalie Balassarre told ESPN. "The Department will continue to support these patriotic events." Government attorneys also noted the plaintiffs waited until one week before the card despite UFC Freedom 250 being public knowledge for nearly a year.

In supporting documents filed Tuesday, National Park Service liaison John Stanwich wrote that his office played a largely facilitative role, working with the UFC's production contractors to protect park resources by placing protective mats under temporary structures. The government brief described the so-called claw stadium as a temporary structure not requiring congressional approval, citing precedents including an ice skating rink and concert stage during Joe Biden's presidency and an annual T-ball game under George W. Bush.

Attorney Brendan Ballou, representing the plaintiffs, told ESPN the suit targets corruption, not mixed martial arts. "This is an attack on the corruption that is facilitating this event," he said, calling it "a profound misuse of our sacred national monuments for private gain." The government countered that the White House Office of Executive Residence, not the Park Service, is handling Sunday's fights and that environmental assessments apply only to agency actions. Judge Amit P. Mehta could hear oral arguments Thursday before ruling on the injunction.

Source: espn.com