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DOJ moves to restart Trump's $400m White House ballroom project
The US Department of Justice has requested a federal judge lift an injunction blocking construction of a new presidential event space at the White House. Officials cited security risks following a shooting at this weekend's White House Correspondents' Dinner as justification.
Background: Legal dispute over historic preservation
A federal judge issued a temporary halt on ground-level work earlier this month after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit. The group argues President Donald Trump lacked authority to demolish the 1902 East Wing and replace it with a ballroom without congressional or federal agency approval.
Trump initially stated the project would be built "near" the East Wing without altering it. However, plans changed in October, and the East Wing was demolished to make way for the new structure.
DOJ filing: Security needs outweigh preservation concerns
In a Monday night court filing, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other officials argued the new ballroom would provide a secure venue for large presidential events, which they claim does not currently exist in Washington.
"Presidents need a secure space for large events that currently do not exist in Washington. This court's injunction stalling this project cannot defensibly continue, for the sake of President Trump, future presidents and their families, Cabinets and staff."
The filing also adopted language frequently used by Trump, accusing the preservationist group of suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
"Because it is DONALD J. TRUMP, a highly successful real estate developer, who has abilities that others don't, especially those who assume the Office of President, this frivolous and meritless lawsuit was filed."
Preservationists vow to continue legal battle
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has stated it will not drop the lawsuit. In a statement, the group's president and CEO, Carol Quillen, said the lawsuit "endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law."
Legal experts suggest the motion is unlikely to persuade Judge Richard Leon, a Bush appointee who ordered the construction halt.
Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner fuels debate
More than 2,300 attendees, including Cabinet members, members of Congress, and government officials, were present at the Washington Hilton on Saturday when an armed suspect attempted to enter the event. President Trump and other officials were evacuated after gunshots were heard, while others hid under tables or behind chairs.
Trump has since used the incident to justify the need for a new White House ballroom. In an interview with CBS, he stated, "I'm building a safe ballroom, and one of the reasons I'm building it is exactly what happened last night." He added that the ballroom would be constructed on "the safest piece of property in this country, probably one of the safest pieces of land in the world."
It remains unclear how a White House ballroom would have altered the outcome of the shooting, which occurred at a private event hosted by an external organization where the president and officials were guests.
