Donald Trump‘s administration continues to face pushback for plans to host a massive UFC fight at the White House. According to ESPN, the Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service on Saturday to stop the UFC Freedom 250 event planned for June 14 on the White House lawn.
What does the Public Integrity Project say in its lawsuit against the Trump administration?
Per the lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project, the agencies’ decision to host a private sporting event on public property is a violation of federal law. The complaint also states that the agencies did not obtain congressional approval for construction related to the event.
The Trump administration moved forward without completing an environmental review for a “major federal action” that significantly affects “the quality of the human environment,” the lawsuit states.
“We think that this is a profound misuse of our sacred national monuments for private gain,” Brendan Ballou, lead attorney for the Public Integrity Project, said in a statement, per ESPN. “And we think that needs to be stopped because it breaks the law.”
Ballou said he expects the court to quickly respond to the emergency injunction filed over the weekend.
What does the Trump administration say about the lawsuit filed by the Public Integrity Project?
The Trump administration described the complaint as an “obstructionist, baseless and dilatory lawsuit.” Continuing with a lengthy response, the administration said the lawsuit aims to prevent “President Trump from hosting what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most historic sporting events in our Nation’s history during our semiquincentennial celebration.”
“This iconic event is no different than the various other White House-hosted events on the South Lawn and properly permitted events on the Ellipse and National Mall throughout the year,” the administration stated, per ESPN.