Judge dismisses last-ditch bid to block Trump's UFC fight
A federal judge on Friday refused two Virginia residents’ request to block this weekend’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn, ruling they have no right to challenge the fight.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the two had no legal standing because they hadn’t shown the event, timed to Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th birthday, would harm them.
“Plaintiffs fall short of showing they are ‘directly affected’ by Defendants’ actions,” Mehta, an appointee of former President Obama, wrote in his 15-page ruling.
It removes a potential last-minute roadblock to this weekend’s event, set to be held in a 92-foot-tall, temporary octagon erected on the White House lawn, with a press conference and other activities happening at the nearby Lincoln Memorial.
“The court rightly rejected an untimely and frivolous effort to halt the historic UFC event hosted to honor the 250th anniversary of our Nation,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement. “The White House is thankful for this correct decision and looks forward to hosting this once-in-a-lifetime celebration on the South Lawn.”
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