President Donald Trump's administration asked a federal judge to reject a lawsuit that seeks to prevent an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fight from taking place on the grounds of the White House, arguing that the legal action was filed too late and that stopping the event would cause significant logistical and economic damage.

According to court documents cited by CNN, lawyers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that canceling the show, scheduled for this weekend, would disrupt months of preparation and harm thousands of fans, organizers and athletes who are already part of the show.

The lawsuit was filed by two Virginia residents, represented by the Public Integrity Project, who argue that the government allowed the use of federal property for a private event, although the president claims that it is part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US independence, without meeting certain legal requirements.

However, the Trump administration believes that the plaintiffs waited too long to go to court.

“No one is holding plaintiffs in a jiu-jitsu hold, forcing them to watch UFC Freedom 250 against their will,” government lawyers noted in their court response.

The controversy over the use of the White House

The plaintiffs maintain that federal authorities have evaded regulations related to the installation of temporary structures on public lands in Washington, in addition to questioning the use of spaces considered symbolic for holding a sporting event.

In recent days, workers installed a massive structure on the South Lawn of the White House, where the fighting is expected to take place. Additionally, the ceremonial weigh-in is scheduled in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

The lawyers pushing the lawsuit claim that, once the event took place, any alleged damage would be irreversible.

“Once cage fights are held on the South Lawn, the violation of the character and sanctity of these monumental spaces will be impossible to remedy,” they argued in documents submitted to the court.

White House warns of risks from cancellation

The DOJ also assured that suspending the event a few days before its completion could have consequences for the fighters themselves.

According to the government, the 14 professional athletes who will participate in the card are already in the process of physical preparation and weight reduction, so any delay could affect their health.

The administration also rejected the plaintiffs' legal arguments and asserted that federal law does not require specific authorization from Congress for temporary structures like the one installed for the function.

So far, federal Judge Amit P. Mehta has not set a hearing to review the emergency request. The plaintiffs are seeking a resolution by Thursday, while the White House maintains its position that the event should go ahead as planned.

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