The Arlington County Board says a UFC fight at the White House that featured two of the County’s uniformed police officers “exploited good faith efforts to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11.”
The two officers, both first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, escorted a fighter to the Octagon at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, the event President Trump hosted on the White House South Lawn to mark his 80th birthday and the country’s 250th anniversary. They were among the 9/11 first responders invited by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a non-profit established in memory of an FDNY firefighter who died in the attacks.
The Board laid out its position in a statement issued just after 5 p.m. this past Friday (June 26), responding to what it said were multiple inquiries from residents about the officers’ presence at the event.
It defended the officers’ participation, saying they followed County protocols that allow public safety officials to attend ceremonial events in uniform and took part voluntarily and weren’t paid by the County. County officials have long been permitted to attend ceremonial events regardless of the administration in office, the Board said.
Still, the Board said the event “neither genuinely recognizes our first responders for their heroism nor honors our nation’s 250th anniversary” and “went beyond the expected ceremonial support of our first responders.”
The Board said it will continue reviewing County policies and procedures “to ensure that Arlington is represented in accordance with the County’s high standards and community values.”
The Arlington County Board’s full statement is below.
The Arlington County Board has received multiple inquiries from residents regarding the presence of County public safety officers at the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 event, held on Sunday, June 14. The Board has discussed this issue with the County Manager and reviewed the County’s current policies and approval processes.
Our officers were invited by a non-profit organization in connection with their service as first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attack. They followed County protocols that allow public safety officials to attend ceremonial events in uniform. They participated voluntarily and without pay from the County. Historically, and regardless of administration, County officials have been permitted to attend ceremonial events.
Despite this being an invitation to an official White House event, the Board believes this event neither genuinely recognizes our first responders for their heroism nor honors our nation’s 250th anniversary. The event went beyond the expected ceremonial support of our first responders and exploited good faith efforts to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
The Board will continue reviewing the relevant policies and procedures to ensure that Arlington is represented in accordance with the County’s high standards and community values.
