Trump argues lawsuit seeking to halt White House UFC fight was brought too ‘late’
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration is urging a federal judge to reject a lawsuit seeking to stop a UFC fight scheduled at the White House, arguing the legal challenge was filed too late to warrant intervention.
- Justice Department attorneys emphasized that blocking the event now would disrupt extensive planning and unfairly impact President Trump, athletes, and thousands of spectators.
- The plaintiffs, represented by the Public Integrity Project, claim the event violates federal laws requiring congressional approval for structures on government property and causes them "aesthetic injury."
- The administration counters that temporary structures do not require congressional approval and warns that delaying the event could harm athletes due to prolonged weight cutting.
- The judge has not yet scheduled a hearing, with the plaintiffs urging a decision by Thursday, arguing that once the event occurs, any damage to the historic venues would be irreversible.