US judge refuses to block Trump’s White House UFC birthday event
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge denied a request to halt the UFC event planned on the White House South Lawn this Sunday, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary and former President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
- The lawsuit, filed by the non-profit Public Integrity Project on behalf of an activist and a Vietnam veteran, aimed to block the event and the construction of a large steel structure called The Claw on White House grounds.
- Plaintiffs argued the event is a private, for-profit venture improperly permitted by the Trump administration, highlighting VIP packages costing millions and the event's tribute to Trump on his birthday.
- The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, stating the event is similar to other public forums routinely held in the capital, while the National Park Service and interior department are defendants in the case.
- Judge Amit Mehta, appointed by Barack Obama, has previously overseen cases related to Trump, including litigation concerning the January 6 Capitol attack.